Former United States President Barack Obama yesterday showered praises on Gift “Ostallos” Siziba, one of the young and upcoming political leaders in Zimbabwe, after he made a rabble-rousing speech introducing the former president at the Democracy Forum in New York.
The forum was hosted by the Obama Foundation in partnership with Columbia University and the University of Chicago. It was meant to bring attention to the biggest challenges democratic institutions face today and showcase democracy in action around the world.
Ostallos as one of the beneficiaries of the Obama Foundation, was honoured to introduce the 44th President of the United States who led the country from 2009 to 2017.
After narrating how he became a staunch democracy activist, practicing in Zimbabwe where he said he faced a lot of challenges growing up, Ostallos recognised Obama’s ideas as his inspiration.
He introduced him to the stage.
Obama thanked the Deputy Spokesperson of Zimbabwe’s main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). He also acknowledged the work that Ostallos was doing in safeguarding improving democracy in Zimbabwe.
“Thank you Gift for the rousing introduction. He is getting me fired up backstage,” he said.
“He is getting me excited. Thank you more importantly Gift for all the work that you’re doing to get young people involved in preserving and improving democracy.”
Overwhelmed by the work and passion of the young leaders he was addressing, Obama promised to create more platforms and institutions to enhance democracy.
“Today at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum, we brought leaders from around the world together to share ideas and discuss ways to strengthen democracy,” he added.
“I’m happy to announce that we’ll be launching a new and expanded Leaders United States program in the coming months that can help more young people put their idealism to work.
“Michelle (his wife) and I are proud to support these young leaders through our work at the Obama Foundation.”
Impressed by Ostallos’ speech, former cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi said:
“Ostallos symbolises what huge talent is at Zimbabwe’s disposal if our politics takes an inclusive trajectory, the Nation Brand reach would be phenomenal! Well done young man for representing Zimbabwe on the global stage.”
It’s quiet clear guy is setting his way straight , Zimbabwe future is bright
Oliver Mutoya , future President.
Thamsanqa Goqolo the good part of it , he is leaning not looting
Oliver Mutoya very true , he has passion and people at heart .
Oliver Mutoya very true but according to his speech the highest level of leadership he can only reach is vice President position 🤣
There has always been bright & promising young leaders since indipendence, but they remained only as talk by the people, but nothing else!
Zanupf is here 2040 & beyond!
Thus the reality!
The rest will earn their living as opposition leaders untill their death!
Oliver Mutoya Agreed 💯 without any hesitation
Ncagu Sbhamusogodo KaSibungusodaka I’m not any expert when to arguements on leadership skills , leaders are born not made time has changed for cheap propaganda in this morden technological advancements , nothing lives forever in this throne of life. I’m praying , praying for you to have more years to witness the real independence.
Munashe Ibrahim Mbengwa Hove is it because he is not Shona tribe?
Our wonder our future President
Adolf Adoe Shava you still need another Robert Mugabe, with good diction, making wonderful speeches in public places, but production dololo!
Ncagu Sbhamusogodo KaSibungusodaka kikiki Robert Mugabe left the country in photocopy, Simple they is no difference between RG Mugabe and ED
Ncagu Sbhamusogodo KaSibungusodaka uyamusukela uSiziba , ikusasa lakhe Lihle kakhulu
Adolf Adoe Shava ngokukhuluma nje??
Vuka this 2022 not 1922, !
Abantu likhohliswa ukukhuluma nje!
Ncagu Sbhamusogodo KaSibungusodaka Yee vele kuqala ekukhulumini , you can’t be a leader if you are not a good speaker
Ngiyasola Uli under cover lezau but abantu abanje ngawe asithatheli ekhanda
Adolf Adoe Shava kuse kude phambili!!
Ndege yemashanga
Munyaradzi Mupondi unorwadziwa, bvisa deep freezer mu muviri mako
Byron Watsikenyere Save inharo hadzozve asi ndochokwadi
I had to go thru your profile
Munyaradzi Mupondi dai Ari wezanu kana kuZambia zvaisvika
Munyaradzi Mupondi hausi wenga hama makawandisa vene pfungwa dzakazara mvura muHarare chaimo vachitoshaya yekunwa.
Munyaradzi Mupondi iwe wakaitei kunze kwekumamira muhuswa hwodonha mofunga kuti muri chibaba
Munyaradzi Mupondi ndege yemashanga how Kuty paari apo hapasviki zvekudaro kana ini newe handifungi tikamhorasana na Obama in future
Instead of celebrating the achievements of a country man, alas some ninkapup with a politically polarised mind finds happiness in the usual pull him down syndrome. Smell the coffee, zpf doesn’t own you, think like a nationalist.
Joana Masilo Haaa taura hako zvimwe zvinhu zvinongoda kugamuchira and life becomes easier.
Joana Masilo ini ndosvika ini my sister
Munyaradzi Mupondi kutoita dumbu rizere madhodhi 🤣🤣 Hakuna kunzi CCC! Hanzi future Zimbabwe politician” izvo zvinobatsira both parties kuva nevanhu vanenjere dzokutungamira. Look at your government,haina vanhu vatinoti vanoziva kutungamira vanhu but selfish” vanotengera ma ministers expensive cars dzinoita ma millions of dollars, but he vachitadza kutenga ambulance inoita 20 thousand Dollars 🤣🤣🤣 Dumbu rako rinema dhodhi chaiwo
Langton Masilo musandisiya vahadzvadzi kana masvika
Munyaradzi Mupondi Tokusvitsai mvura mudzikise godo kuZaka kunopisa
Munyaradzi Mupondi marwadziwa here vamurakashi
Munyaradzi Mupondi jealous burn’s like hell
100%
This is why Zimbabwe can’t move, we are too politically polarised. This boy is a Zimbabwean, we must be all congratulating him, but alas, some zpf ninkapup thinks otherwise. To hell with the brainwashed mentality
John Mashambe congratulating him for making speech?
You ought to give your head a wobble!
Good speeches has production!
By now, we should have learnt from R. Mugabe!
Bassop Leader Ostallos.Beware of Snakes henceforth
Well done…
The future is Bright for You
Good presentation from Ostallos
In America making noise with your mouth like Obama and the idiot Joe Biden makes you President in Zimbabwe and other African countries you need bullets and bombs to be President not making noise like chamisa and obama.
Ostallooooooos
If pettiness was a person
Chinovhaira Fani chinofamba negotsi Ostallos
It was said the same about Robert Mugabe in 1980s!
Making wonderful speeches; yet he was ego-centric & poor in production!
Zimbabwe now need people who are production & capacity building oriented!
Not people who spent the whole fucking day , writing speeches, but devoid of national production!
Kuse kude phambili lana!
I really lyk this guy
He is smart
I like his wordpower.
Ndakaona Ostallos achipeta muswe, ndokuchitanga kudaidzira nekazwi kanenge mbwanana irimusaga.
Leadership qualities are evident in the young man.