We are in the world where the economy is about knowledge

“This place is called Diepsloot for those of you who are giving here, we should not be in this place, we should not be in the space of poverty where we are coming to help.” Picture: Wot-If trust

Maleka Charles

"The energy I'm finding Here is about creativity, where people are passing from one to another knowledge, because we are in the world where the economy is about knowledge,” said Tokyo Sexwale addressing a group of young entrepreneurs on Mandela day, in Diepsloot.

The former human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale made a surprise visit on Thursday, for a Mandela day event held at Father Louis Blondel center, where he motivated the young people to follow their entrepreneurial dreams, as well as exchanging creative knowledge among themselves.

“Today we are celebrating Mandela, but we should do that as we exchange our knowledge, our expertise, our little monies to create change.’

“We should do that understanding that at the end of the day it’s about something more, it's about making sure that people have got the power to change, when all of us are gone from here today and that no government must be the boss of the people.”

"I came to look at what has been happening and I can say I'm greatly impressed, I see people exchanging energies, there are not ten thousand people or 50 thousand people like France for the opening of the woman's world cup."

Sexwale urged the young people who are in the printing business to collaborate with the Mandela Foundation to assist them with printing of their T shirts.

“I have young people printing t shirts, at the Mandela foundation we buy this things, I don't know they got them from where, I hope not from Hong Kong, come forward and be our partner and do t-shirts with us.”

The former human settlements minister highlighted the fact that when he was a minister, he wanted to develop Diepsloot and make it a better place, unfortunately corruption happened to stop him from doing so.

“This place is called Diepsloot for those of u who are giving here, we should not be in this place, we should not be in the space of poverty where we are coming to help.”

“You know why this place is like this and why people are sleeping around here, and I have slept here before and people thought it was a gimmick,”

“is because those of us who are supposed to be developing and helping others to develop and make a great leap and change in the name of Mandela for the ordinary people are not doing that people are stealing money.”

“People are taking from the resources, corruption is eating this country, there is no Diepsloot that will never arise as long as that is happening. And we’ll be seating one way looking at judge Zondo, to solve our problem, that's not how it’s going to grow.”

Gail Styger, the founder and trustee for Wot-if trust, said she was so excited that Tokyo Sexwale showed up in the event to motivate her participants to follow their dreams.

“Delighted that Tokyo Sexwale could join us and motivate our participants to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.”