Fhulufhelo Muvhali – University of Venda (UNIVEN) Student – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Fhulufhelo Muvhali , a student from the University of Venda (UNIVEN) under the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture visited Turkey, Istanbul from 03 to 16 March 2022. The trip was part of a Model United Nations (MUN) conference. MUN is a simulation for United Nations delegation conferences where United Nations (UN) member states meet to discuss issues of global importance such as education, gender-based violence, youth economic empowerment (YEE), climate change, wars, and immigration. Fhulufhelo, is a social entrepreneur, a student volunteer at UNIVEN Community Engagement, a mental health awareness activist, an advocate in STEM education and is also the founder of a non-profit organisation, called the Child Upliftment Corner Foundation (CUC), which aims to enhance early childhood education by promoting reading for fun at an early stage of life to improve language proficiency in young children. With these credentials it was no surprise that she made it to the MUN.
Best Diplomat delegation 2022 at Istanbul. .(photo supplied)
The process for participating in the MUN was a competitive one with applications coming from all over the globe. Fhulufhelo’s application was inspired by the work Nomzamo Mbatha does for refugees as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill ambassador. Her other motivation was her journey as a World Literacy Foundation (WLF) ambassador in 2021 where she got to learn more about the influence and impact of self-education on one’s development as well as the impact it has on someone’s life.
During the MUN conference, Fhulufhelo participated in various discussions on topical issues ranging from politics, peace and security and climate change. At the MUN Fhulufhelo was amongst the young Leaders from 45 different nations who gathered and shared their thoughts on the injustices of political wars. Fhulufhelo’s group discussed about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this discussion she represented the country of Hungary, and her position paper was based on the stance which strongly supported Azerbaijan in the conflict.
Best Diplomat delegation 2022 at Istanbul. .(photo supplied)
“Through this experience, my knowledge on current global affairs has improved and I appreciate being a born free in South Africa. I appreciate being granted the opportunity to experience this because I can now proudly say that my experience and vision aligns with UNIVEN’s strategic thrust objective three (3) which is to strengthen engagement of students, staff, and community stakeholders”.
“The MUN space cultivates your mind, it improves the way you think, act, and speak as a leader” (by Fhulufhelo Muvhali 2022).
In offering her gratitude, Fhulufhelo is creating an online platform for students to access opportunities online through social media. Students will also be granted the opportunity to share their wonderful work, achievements and goals through posts and videos.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 / 8710
Date: 19 April 2022
