?YOUTH MONTH
This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).
For Liam Gillesen, a fourth-year SU student pursuing a combined Bachelor of Accounting and a Bachelor of Laws degree, leadership begins where titles end. Raised in Pretoria, Gillesen credits his high school years at Pretoria Boys High for grounding him in values that continue to shape his activism today: integrity, service and humility. “I was incredibly privileged growing up," he says. “That's why I believe it's my duty to use some of that privilege to help others who may not have had the same opportunities."
Gillesen's work on and off campus reflects a desire to contribute to South Africa's future by living the values of ubuntu, empathy and active citizenship. While excelling academically, he's been an active Social Justice Ambassador for the Centre for Social Justice, and he has assisted the SU Law Clinic with co-ordinating workshops. He also served as the Transformation Officer for the Juridical Society and as President of the student chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
“I'm passionate about community service because I've always loved people," he says. “I connect with people easily. I hate seeing someone struggle or being sad."
Over the past few years, Gillesen's journey as social justice champion has been eye-opening. “It helped me realise that life is richer outside your little bubble of privilege. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it's worth it."
Although he didn't secure a seat on the Student Representative Council last year, the setback didn't dampen his drive. “I had to reassess how I can still contribute without being in formal leadership," he says. In fact, that moment of redirection became a catalyst for his current work and reaffirmed his belief that change doesn't start with structure, but with purpose.
Fighting food insecurity on campus
Gillesen is one of the founding members of the Maties Meal Initiative, a student-led effort to tackle food insecurity on campus. What began as a simple idea to provide one meal a day to hungry students is steadily growing into a collaborative campaign involving multiple stakeholders.
With initial backing from SU's former Chief Operating Officer, Prof Stan du Plessis, and fundraising support from Maties Rugby through ticket sales at matches, the initiative has already made an impact. “We wanted to support what already exists and find ways to consolidate these efforts," Gillesen explains.
He speaks passionately about a moment during one of their gatherings when a speaker reframed the work as “solidarity, not charity". That phrase stuck with him. “I want people to see that helping others is an act of solidarity. When we embrace the idea of ubuntu and stick together, we can bring about meaningful change."
Gillesen often quotes the American activist Angela Davis who said: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept."
Merging knowledge and service
Beyond the SU campus, Gillesen combines his legal and business acumen with community development through his involvement with the Kayamandi Imbadu Group. In partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the project helps establish co-operatives to promote youth entrepreneurship in Kayamandi. It's a space where Gillesen's interest in law, accounting, and social justice align perfectly. “The only way you get social justice is if people are economically empowered," he insists. “If entrepreneurs are supported to build sustainable businesses, they gain financial freedom and dignity. The South African economy will only grow when everyone is afforded a decent shot at life."
Community engagement has not only broadened his worldview but has deepened his leadership values, Gillesen says. “When I was younger, I always used to look up to the big names like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. But now, the people I admire most are those working quietly in their communities without any recognition. It's the women who run soup kitchens or the man who wakes up every day to fix his neighbourhood. They are the real heroes."
When asked what change he strives to bring about through his efforts, Gillesen distinguishes between short- and long-term goals. “My biggest priority while still on campus is to help make sure every student gets at least two decent meals a day, so they don't have to worry about food. What I'm hoping for in the long term is that we could end divisiveness in South Africa so that we can all work together and acknowledge our common humanity. There is so much division, and our political system makes us believe that you must pick a side. I would love to be able to play a part in bringing people together and making everyone see how much we have in common beyond our differences."
'Just keep on trying'
Gillesen's leadership philosophy is also inspired by his late grandfather, who lived a life of quiet, consistent service. “He was a servant leader. He always said, 'Don't chase leadership roles just for titles. Serve without a title.'" That wisdom now guides Gillesen in all his efforts, including his mentorship roles and public speaking engagements on social justice.
His advice to other aspiring leaders is to get as much experience as possible and to not shy away from challenges. “Some problems may seem too big to fix but just keep on trying. The alternative is giving up and that is way scarier! Don't accept the status quo and don't let anyone scare you out of doing anything. You can't create change by yourself. The only way to build something lasting is to work together," he maintains.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman
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