Curtleigh Alaart (22), is currently studying the bachelor’s degree in Public Management and International Relations here at the University of Pretoria. This year, he was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in a study abroad programme at the prestigious Leiden University in the Netherlands as a recipient of the LU-Africa Scholarship. Alaart said, “I was blessed to have met so many incredible people from all around the world who had similar interests: both scholastically and personally as I did.” Whilst studying there, he was fortunate enough to be selected to gain work experience at the European Space Agency’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Katwijk, Zuid-Holland.

Curtleigh has also had the honour of representing South Africa at the G20 Summit as a youth delegate held in India, in July of this year. His experience was made sweeter when one of his policy suggestions was successfully voted upon by the respective heads of states in attendance. The policy in question was for the representation of the African Union as a full member at the G20 Summit. This, he says, was an attempt to incorporate more voices from the developing world to be active decision makers within the international system and by extension, decolonise diplomatic relations which may have a subsequent consequence on trade agreements. His policy was accepted and as of 2024, the AU will be a member at this Summit. Alaart stated, “What made me happiest however, was the realisation that young ordinary citizens, like myself, have the potential to influence macro decisions and if given the chance, they will.” He has also expressed his thanks to the School of Public Management and Administration for their financial support in attending the Summit.

Life has not always been easy for Alaart. On his 7th birthday Curtleigh’s father was murdered and what followed was a harrowing time of depression, solitude, and financial despair for his family. Curtleigh added “My mother, who is a lecturer, would teach night classes to bring much needed income into our household and ensured we were never running into too much debt.” He further added, “I remember how I would sit in on those night classes as she would encourage her students to persevere in their work despite being evidently tired and overworked herself. I place these distant memories at the back of my mind as reassurance to the invaluable sufferings my mother endured to ensure that I made something of myself.”

In June of this year, Curtleigh was selected as a Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South African for his work in youth advocacy and in promoting young voices within policymaking. Additionally, he was chosen by News24 as one of their 100 Young Mandelas in their Deepening Democracy category.

Curtleigh stated that he would like to express his utmost gratitude for the unwavering support from the School of Public Management and Administration in all of his endeavors and stated that it does not go unnoticed in his pursuit to bring about a better future for all young South Africans. Alaart plans to continue in his advocacy work alongside his studies and plans to pursue a career in public policy consulting.