Let Your Light Shine: Meet Political Science Major Skyla Katenga
Skyla Katenga is a Malawian-South African senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. At JCU, she is the president of the Black and African Student Association (BASA), which has several events in store for Black History Month in February.
Tell us about your background.
I am an only child born to Malawian and South African parents. I was born in South Africa and grew up in England, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malawi. My constant travel was due to my mom working in the humanitarian sector for the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations, which required her to move between different posts. Despite being an only child, I have an extended immediate family. Therefore, I never really noticed being an only child, as cousins, aunts, and uncles always surrounded me.
How did you end up at JCU? What made you decide to pursue a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies?
Initially, I had planned to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Africa, particularly South Africa, Namibia, or Kenya. However, as I was preparing for my final International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, I received an email from JCU inviting me to study in the heart of Rome. It caught my eye, especially since I had been to Rome before on a week-long school trip for a Model United Nations conference. With that curiosity, I started to do my research, spoke with my school counselors and my mom, and the rest is history. JCU just stood out to me more than all the other options. It is the only university I actually applied to, and now I will be graduating this spring!
I decided to pursue a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies due to my interest in human rights and social justice. These have been a passion of mine since I was 11 years old, when I started to participate in research and advocacy activities for women’s and children’s rights in Malawi and understanding racial inequalities in South Africa. My passion was further fueled by being surrounded by various family members who work in non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations. By listening to their stories around the dinner table and seeing them work and succeed, I also felt inspired to play my part in giving back to my country.
You are the president of BASA. How did you become involved with the club? What does your role consist of?
I have been a part of BASA since my first semester. When I arrived at JCU, it was the first student organization that I had looked for. I was first elected to be the club’s Social Media Manager, and later I was elected President. My role consists of taking care of the logistics of the club, such as delegating roles, setting and monitoring goals, and training the club members. I also try to get involved as much as possible with all the members of the board, so that we are a united front. This helps us when we reach out to the JCU community.
What do you have planned for Black History Month?
For Black History Month, we have a total of seven events that will be occurring throughout February. These include Expo and Mixer events, open mic, and movie nights. We also have two upcoming events with guest speakers: “Breaking Barriers: Blackness in Vogue”, a talk with author Anna Osei; “Black Colonial Monuments Tour” with JCU’s History & Humanities Society; an activity with the Health and Wellbeing Office; lastly, “Breaking Barriers: The Role of Black Diplomats in International Relations,” in collaboration with the International Relations Society.
We also are very active on social media to promote club activities, with street interviews where we ask students what this month means to them, and spotlights on prominent Black and African figures.
What is something meaningful that you have learned during your time at JCU and at BASA?
One key thing I am taking away from my time at JCU and BASA is the importance of human connection and how fulfilling it can be. Life is too short not to go out into the world and find your community or tribe. It is also too short not to branch out of your circle and interact with people from different backgrounds and walks of life.
Tell us about the workshop you held during orientation week on living abroad as a BIPOC student.
For the past two years, the BIPOC presentation has been a key feature of orientation week. It is a crucial event because it aims to answer questions, address concerns, and provide comfort.
As a black woman living abroad, I must answer many cultural and lifestyle questions. For example, finding places to have my hair braided, where to get the right hair products, or where to eat my country’s cuisine when I’m homesick. The presentation provides the information that helps make many black students feel less anxious and the moving process more manageable for them.
It is also an excellent opportunity to meet the various cultural clubs within the University before the semester starts. This way, students can get an idea of what clubs they would like to join or see that there are clubs with people from similar backgrounds.
What are your plans for the future?
My goal is to enter the social justice field either by becoming a human rights lawyer or serving in a multilateral organization that aims to reduce inequality and poverty in Africa.
Now that you are a senior, do you have any advice for incoming students?
As someone who came into JCU very shy and introverted and has become an extroverted social butterfly, I need to tell new students that you and your shine are valuable. Everyone has an intrinsic light within them that makes them a vital part of whatever community they are in. Therefore, do not dim that light, as the world could use more of it. You never know who you may inspire to let their light shine.
