His passion for activism started decades ago, when he was influenced by family members that stood up against unjust regimes. The passion grew, and he has now made a career out of it.
“For me, I am an African, I am a Pan African, and I believe that Africa has potential. It has fallen victim to itself, and it’s important that Africans tell their stories and solve their own problems. It’s also important that Africans call each other out, especially in political leadership.”
Seeing his Gambian uncles stand up and rally with South Africans against apartheid introduced a young Jeggan Grey Johnson to a world of activism, something he is so passionate about that he refers to it as his calling.
Currently, Jeggan Grey Johnson works as a Communications and Advocacy Officer and Team Leader in the Anti-Corruption Cluster OSISA. He has now been with the organisation for 14 years.
Johnson said that after applying for the position, he mistakenly ticked the box to be based in Johannesburg. Nevertheless, after landing in the economic capital of South Africa, he settled, started a family, and continued living out his passion for advocacy.
In his career, he says, the dynamics of Southern Africa allowed him and colleagues to do compelling work.
“Looking at Southern Africa, we were able to do interesting work. For example, we would look at the independence of state broadcasters and the gaps in digitalisation. That work we did is still relevant today, not only in Southern Africa but in other African countries, and that tells us that we were able to focus on work that mattered.”
For Grey Johnson, seeing his uncles fighting for something and wanting to make a change made him realise that Africans needed to be part of making a difference in various fields.
“I am an African, I am a Pan African, and I believe that Africa has potential. It has fallen victim to itself, and it’s important that Africans tell their stories and solve their own problems. It’s also important that Africans call each other out, especially in political leadership.”
“I don’t see this as a career, I see it as a calling. I enjoy doing it. Even if I was not getting paid to do it, I would still be doing it. “I have always been interested in activism. When I was about eight or nine, my uncles were young students, and they were part of a solidarity march in Gambia, where I am from, to be part of ANC solidarity against apartheid. I went with them and have been interested in activism ever since. This kind of work has always been in my DNA.”
With a degree in mass communication and media studies, Grey Johnson says that he has seen the good and ugly parts of Africa and hopes to make a difference, however small, through his work.
“In working with the organisation, I have learned a lot of lessons, one of them being that Southern Africa and Africa is an exciting place to be. There is a lot of work to be done, but there is a lot of promise.”
Grey Johnson says that working with OSISA has opened his world to a plethora of people who are equally passionate about advocating for the African continent.
“I have been able to work among good, committed and knowledgeable people, and for me that has been a privilege.”
He added that while organisations like OSISA have worked tirelessly to help resolve varying issues on the continent, Africa still has a long way to go. “As Africa, we are in a very vulnerable position. Debt is a major issue, corruption is at an all-time high, and leaders are missing in action. We have not learned anything. Over the last decade, we saw similar patterns. Should we learn? Yes. But there is hope in a better future, there has to be. Younger people are coming, and technology is on our side.”
Grey Johnson advises younger people who are interested in advocacy to keep in mind that it is a calling and something that you need to be passionate about in order to succeed.
“If you are looking at getting fame and recognition, you can put that aside, that should not be the motivation. You also need to know that you will be fighting against powerful forces, and the odds may be against you from day one. You will need the courage to stand up against these giants.”
He also emphasises the importance of working together, something he was privy to at OSISA, where he was surrounded by like-minded individuals that he continually learned from during his tenure.
“If you do this you don’t go alone. Teamwork is important, community is important. Be smart, humble, open and courageous and you will be able to move.”
