Kevin Kapeke: A fresh, young voice speaking up to demand respect, inclusion and change
Edited by Vivien Yii
When Kevin Kapeke was just eleven years old, he migrated with his family from Zimbabwe to Australia. After much sacrifice by his parents and extended family to make this move possible, his family was able to secure work in Hume, set up a home in the local area, and begin pursuing a better future.
A few years later, Kevin was a high school student “just happy to be living in Australia” when he was invited to represent his school community in a national news story on the Gonski report. This experience of adding his voice to help illustrate the widening gap in quality education between rich and poor schools was life-changing for Kevin, and this was the first time that he truly felt confident in his ability to lead and serve his community.
Kevin’s passion for social justice, education and policy has since led him to study at La Trobe University, where he worked and volunteered as a student ambassador, mentor, welfare officer and magazine editor. As a student, he also served on the La Trobe University Council as the student representative, was the president of ALIAS (A Look Into African Society), and Vice Chair of the ZimCommunity (Zimbabwean Community in Victoria).
Kevin deeply values and appreciates the communities that he belongs to in Hume, because they supported his family through tough times when he was growing up. Giving back to this community is Kevin’s reason for running as a candidate for Aitken Ward in the upcoming Hume City Council elections this October.
As a multicultural, growing city, Kevin believes that Hume has a way to go in its efforts to support local families, small businesses, and residents young and old. Kevin wants to see newer, fresher and more diverse voices in Hume, and wants young people at the forefront of job creation, town planning and entrepreneurship as the city navigates the challenges brought about by COVID-19. He believes that the City of Hume is filled with innovators and brilliant minds, and he wants Hume City Council to showcase their talents, provide training and opportunities, and support them in their endeavours. As a candidate in the upcoming Hume City Council elections, Kevin wants to help move his community forward.
What inspired you to run for election in Hume City Council?
Running for Hume City Council truly was not part of my original plans for 2020.
I’d been involved in my local community for many years, through my work with my local Federal Member of Parliament, Maria Vamvakinou, and my work with different African community groups. However, I never planned on putting myself in this position of running as a candidate in the current council elections.
Honestly, I had been fearful to try. I have, unfortunately, always felt that people like me are never a shoo-in for important community leadership positions like these. Our parliament does not reflect me. Our councils do not reflect me. Our executive boards do not reflect me. I do not believe that my skin colour or my background automatically make me worthy of being on council, but they should not preclude me.
The events of 2020 changed my priorities. Like so many others, I’d lost my job and had to figure out a new plan quickly, because my family was depending on me. I soon realised that sitting on the sidelines and waiting for people to speak up for me, my family and my community’s interests was not going to cut it. I wanted to try and help my community as best as I can, especially now, during this very uncertain time.
What are the key causes and impact areas you are championing?
Primarily, I think that residents in Hume City feel very forgotten, especially heightened as our city continues to be the most affected by COVID-19 and current restrictions. Hume’s workforce, which includes many sole traders and small business operators, is uncertain about their future. Young people, who will inherit this economy, do not feel included and heard, nor well-prepared to deal with the fallout from the effects of COVID-19 on the economy.
However, one thing that this global pandemic has taught me is that most of these issues can be worked on locally. If elected, my biggest priority for our council, from day one, will be to add to the conversation about a COVID-19 stimulus package for our ratepayers. There is nothing stopping our council from establishing stimulus strategies of their own, and leading the state in the COVID-19 recovery effort. This would include a local employment program that ensures that all capital works in this city are employing people that live in this area first - people who have been affected by the effects of this pandemic. This will set Hume City apart as a driver of employment in all industries, by ensuring that it is looking after its residents first. Standing by sole traders, small businesses, and start-ups, and creating economic incentives are essential strategies as we map out how to survive in a post COVID-19 world.
When it comes to young people, it is the Council's job to provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents, and more so, receive opportunities to be trained, hear from successful local individuals, and be supported in their endeavours. I will stand up for young people as their council representative and ensure that our voices are heard. This will be through the establishment of youth committees that target the key interests of young people: the environment, innovation, politics and community service.
“Young people are speaking up, demanding respect, and demanding change.”
What is your message to other young people who may have thought about running too?
RUN! One thing is clear, communities need to hear different, younger and more diverse voices. I think one thing that younger people feel is that there isn’t enough support out there for them to run, which in part is true. However, one thing that I have learnt throughout this whole process of running is that there will be people who WILL support you.
Whether you’re advocating for more safe spaces, community centres or support for a group of people that need it, organise, speak up and get out there. It’s really hard to feel motivated a lot of the time (trust me, I know!). I have been told, so many times, that I am too young, not experienced enough and that my background and story won’t resonate with the majority of people in my neighbourhood. I have tried my best to look past this and focus on my campaign. We are going through a change in society. Young people are speaking up, demanding respect, and demanding change. I think that anyone who is thinking about running should not be dissuaded by anyone else. So, my advice is quite simply: just do it!
Kevin Kapeke is a candidate for Aitken Ward in the upcoming Hume City Council elections. You can follow and support his campaign at:
Website: www.kevinkapeke.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/kevin4hume
Instagram: @kevin_kapeke
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kapeke-668b92145/
