Despite having the youngest population on earth, Kenya and indeed Africa often side-lines it’s youth especially during major global events. However, during the just concluded WRC Safari Rally, Kenyan youth came out in droves to take advantage of the global platform that the international rally brought with it.
Celebrating 70 years this year, the Rally is an iconic part of pop culture that attracts a lot of attention. Through the Talanta Hela initiative, young people were able to cash in on the hype to not only sell their goods and services, but to showcase to a global audience at the Hustla Village. Touted as the official after party of the WRC Safari Rally it entailed star studded performances dotted with novel appearances by upcoming acts. It also hosted the Hustla Bazaar, an exhibition to showcase Youthful enterprises.
“Allow me to introduce the ambassador of Antigua and Babuda His Excellency Amb. Brig.General Wallace Williams,” He said during a speech at the concert. “He is here because we are planning a big project to help artists from both countries work closely, and to bring Carnival and the Caribbean to Kenya.This Hustla Village and all the other initiatives we are doing are part of the bottom up agenda to help the Creative Economy grow.”
As the official rally was going on, Naivasha was over run by revellers who took any and all opportunities to party. When the roads to their desired party of choice was blocked by traffic, they parked by the wayside, popped open their well stocked boots and began partying on the roadside. All this business trickled into SMEs in the town,many of which are run by women and youth.
“We have not slept in five days,” A taxi driver said. “People are everywhere in Naivasha you can’t even get a single room to hire right now. However, we don’t mind the hard work and long hours, it beats sleeping in the car waiting for passengers.”
At the Hustla Bazaar stock was moving so fast, that some exhibitors had to close early because they were out of stock. Most importantly, youth enterprises got to showcase what they can deliver, not just to those present but to the world at large that was watching.
Analysts are hoping that the success of this pilot project to empower youth using sports, arts and business will be replicated not just in Kenya but in Africa in general, enabling the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
