Youth Month 2025: Leadership – Shaping Tomorrow

#41 The End (Celebrating the South African Youth)

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month in June 2025, we reflect on the fearless spirit of the 1976 Soweto and Sharpeville uprisings, where young people stood against apartheid’s injustices, igniting a movement for freedom. Today, that same courage and vision shine through a new generation of leaders, all under 36, who are shaping South Africa’s future with heart, ingenuity, and purpose. From advocating for safer communities to pioneering environmental solutions and inspiring through art, these young leaders are transforming politics, communities, and cultural landscapes. As we close this series celebrating South African youth across activism, innovation, culture, and now leadership, we honor their transformative impact and share a heartfelt message of support, urging readers to continue uplifting these change-makers. Their stories teach us profound lessons about resilience, compassion, and the power of youth to build a brighter tomorrow.

The Legacy of 1976: A Call to Lead

In 1976, Soweto’s students, led by figures like Tsietsi Mashinini, marched against the imposition of Afrikaans in schools, a policy that symbolized systemic oppression. In Sharpeville, youth protested pass laws, risking everything for dignity. These young leaders didn’t just resist, they organized, inspired, and reshaped history. Their legacy is a powerful call to action, reminding us that youth leadership is about seeing injustice and acting with courage. In 2025, young South Africans are answering this call, stepping into leadership roles to tackle challenges like inequality, environmental crises, and social disconnection. They lead with a vision that echoes 1976: a South Africa where every voice counts and every dream has a chance to thrive.

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Stories of Transformative Leadership

Political Representation: Voices That Reshape Communities

Young South Africans are entering advocacy and political spaces with a mission to make change accessible and inclusive. Their leadership transforms communities by addressing systemic issues with empathy and action, ensuring the next generation feels seen and heard.

• Khazimla Adam’s Bold Advocacy:
  At 16, Khazimla Adam witnessed a dangerous waste dump near her school in 2023, endangering her peers’ health. Rather than turning away, she wrote a compelling letter to her mayor, demanding action. Her persistence led to the dump’s cleanup, turning a hazardous area into a safer space for children to learn and play. Khazimla’s leadership is a testament to the power of a single voice. She didn’t wait for permission—she saw a problem and acted, inspiring her community to demand accountability. Her story is a beacon for young people, showing that leadership starts with courage and a commitment to those around you. By sharing her journey at school assemblies, Khazimla is sparking a movement of youth advocacy, proving that age is no barrier to change.

• Singhita’s Global Inspiration:
  At 15, Singhita, a singer and activist, represented South Africa at the 2023 Leading Women Summit, one of the youngest speakers at this global platform. Blending her musical talent with powerful advocacy for gender equality and youth empowerment, she captivated audiences with her vision for a more inclusive world. Singhita’s leadership bridges art and activism, demonstrating to young women that they can lead in spaces traditionally reserved for older voices. She mentors girls in her community, encouraging them to use their talents to advocate for justice. Her work is reshaping how youth see their role in global conversations, inspiring them to dream big and act boldly, just as the 1976 youth did.

These young leaders are redefining advocacy by making it personal and inclusive. They listen to their communities, act on their needs, and inspire others to join the fight for a fairer South Africa, proving that leadership is about empowering those around you.

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Community Leadership: Building Hope from the Ground Up

Across South Africa, young leaders are transforming communities by addressing local challenges with compassion and creativity. Their work fosters hope, unity, and opportunity, showing that leadership thrives in the heart of communities.

• Tumisang Motsikwa’s Courageous Heart:
  In 2023, Tumisang Motsikwa, a matric student, risked his safety to rescue a fellow student from a mugging. His act of bravery turned a moment of fear into one of hope, showing his community the power of standing up for one another. Despite the trauma of the encounter, Tumisang’s story inspired residents to rally around him, ensuring a positive outcome. His leadership is about courage under pressure, teaching youth that protecting their peers builds stronger, safer communities. Tumisang now speaks at schools, sharing his story to encourage empathy and solidarity. His actions ripple outward, fostering a culture of care where youth see themselves as guardians of their communities.

• Chaeli Mycroft’s Vision for Inclusion:
  Chaeli Mycroft, a young disability activist, is changing how South Africa views disability through her organization, the Chaeli Campaign. By providing mobility aids, education, and advocacy, she empowers people with disabilities to live fully and be seen as integral to society. Chaeli’s leadership challenges stereotypes, creating spaces where everyone feels valued. She mentors young activists, encouraging them to advocate for inclusion in their communities. Her work is transforming South Africa into a nation that celebrates diversity, showing that leadership is about lifting those who are often overlooked. Chaeli’s vision inspires youth to build communities where no one is left behind.

These community leaders show that change begins at home. Their actions, whether a single act of bravery or a lifelong mission, create spaces where hope thrives, proving that leadership is about building communities rooted in care and connection.

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Innovative Leadership: Pioneering Solutions for a Better Future

Young South Africans are leading through innovation, using creativity and problem-solving to address environmental, social, and cultural challenges. Their leadership opens new possibilities, inspiring others to think differently.

• Zoë Prinsloo’s Environmental Mission:
  At 20, Zoë Prinsloo founded Save a Fishie, leading a cross-country beach cleanup mission to protect South Africa’s coastline. Her leadership is hands-on, she organizes volunteers, cleans beaches, and educates communities about ocean conservation. Zoë’s work is transforming how youth view their role in environmental stewardship, inspiring them to protect their natural heritage. By sharing her journey on platforms like X, she’s rallying a generation to care for the planet, showing that leadership can be as simple as picking up trash and as profound as changing how communities value their environment. Her mission is to create a cleaner, more connected South Africa, one beach at a time.

• Ofentse Pitse’s Cultural Trailblazing:
  Ofentse Pitse, a young conductor, made history by leading orchestral pieces for Netflix’s Queen Charlotte. In a field often inaccessible to young black women, her leadership is breaking barriers, inspiring a new generation to pursue classical music. Ofentse mentors aspiring musicians, creating spaces where underrepresented voices can shine. Her work is reshaping South Africa’s cultural landscape, showing that leadership through art can challenge norms and open doors. By celebrating African stories through music, she’s inspiring youth to embrace their heritage and dream boldly, much like the 1976 youth who used culture as resistance.

These innovative leaders are redefining what’s possible. Whether protecting the environment or transforming cultural spaces, they show that leadership is about creating solutions that inspire and uplift entire communities.

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Lessons Learned from South Africa’s Youth

As we close this series celebrating South African youth across activism, innovation, culture, and leadership, the stories of Khazimla Adam, Singhita, Tumisang Motsikwa, Chaeli Mycroft, Zoë Prinsloo, and Ofentse Pitse, alongside countless others, reveal profound lessons about the power of young people. These lessons, drawn from their courage, compassion, and creativity, illuminate the heart of a generation shaping South Africa’s future:

• Courage Fuels Change: From Khazimla’s bold letter to the mayor to Tumisang’s heroic rescue, young South Africans show that courage is about acting despite fear or limitations. These young leaders teach us that leadership begins with seeing a problem, whether a dangerous dump or a peer in danger, and taking action, no matter how young you are. Their bravery reminds us that change starts with a single, fearless step.

• Compassion Drives Connection: Chaeli’s advocacy for disability inclusion and Zoë’s environmental mission are rooted in a deep care for others, people, communities, and the planet. They demonstrate that leadership is most effective when driven by compassion, fostering connections that uplift and unite. Their work teaches us that caring is not a weakness but a catalyst for transformative change.

• Creativity Amplifies Impact: Singhita’s blend of song and activism and Ofentse’s trailblazing in classical music highlight how creativity fuels leadership. Young South Africans use art, music, and innovation to challenge norms and inspire others, teaching us that leadership can be as vibrant as a melody or as bold as a new idea. Their creativity makes change accessible and inspiring.

• Community Is the Foundation: From the collective energy of the Mzansi Youth Choir to Zoë’s volunteer cleanups, youth leadership thrives on community. These young leaders show that true impact comes from building together, echoing the unity of 1976’s youth who stood shoulder to shoulder. They teach us that leadership is not about standing alone but about lifting others.

These lessons reveal a generation that is resilient, compassionate, creative, and deeply rooted in community. They are not just dreaming of a better South Africa; they are building it, one courageous act, one compassionate gesture, one creative spark at a time.

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Closing the Series: A Sincere Message to South Africa’s Youth

As we conclude this series celebrating South African youth, we stand in awe of your brilliance, courage, and heart. To every young person reading this, whether you’re leading a cleanup like Zoë, advocating like Khazimla, or inspiring like Ofentse, know that you are a force to be reckoned with. Your resilience in the face of challenges, your compassion for your communities, and your creativity in forging new paths are transforming South Africa. You carry the spirit of 1976, not just in your fight for justice but in your ability to dream bigger, love deeper, and lead bolder. We see you, we believe in you, and we are endlessly inspired by you. Thank you for being the heartbeat of this nation, for showing us what’s possible, and for building a future where every voice shines. Your light is our hope, and we are so grateful for you.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To South Africa’s youth, thank you for being a force to be reckoned with. Thank you for your courage, like Khazimla’s, that turns problems into possibilities. Thank you for your compassion, like Chaeli’s, that builds communities where everyone belongs. Thank you for your creativity, like Ofentse’s and Singhita’s, that paints a vibrant future. And thank you for your unity, like Tumisang’s and Zoë’s, that reminds us we are stronger together. You are the architects of a South Africa that honors its past and embraces its future. Your leadership inspires us all, and we are profoundly grateful for every step you take, every dream you chase, and every heart you touch. Keep shining, you are South Africa’s greatest strength.

The future is young, and it’s beautifully bold.

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