Youth
latest news & developments
Young voters demand reasons to believe
Ahead of municipal elections, young South Africans grapple with civic duty versus growing political disillusionment, demanding real accountability and basic service delivery.
Different ballots but the same poisoned water
Faced with failing infrastructure, poisoned water, and political indifference, South Africa's youth are turning away from the ballot box—not out of apathy, but out of a…
Eighteen is an age, not an exit plan
Turning 18 legally creates an adult, but it does not instantly provide financial independence or stability. When a vulnerable school-goer leaves home, informal community support…
Africa’s Youth Need More Than a Voice; They Need Power
Nearly 60 percent of Africans are under the age of 25, but scale alone is not power. Investing in civic skills and practical advocacy infrastructure is vital to converting…
Does history oppress or liberate us?
During Heritage Month, young South Africans are questioning ancient cultural traditions, exploring whether history liberates or constrains modern society and how African…
Sweden, SA bring youth voices into climate, health policy talks
The Embassy of Sweden and UKZN brought together youth, diplomats, and policymakers to address the critical intersection of climate change, gender equality, and reproductive…
Empowering South Africa's youth: Why voting is a money-smart economic act
South Africa's youth face severe unemployment and economic exclusion, but the FW de Klerk Foundation shows how constitutional literacy and voting are essential economic acts that…
Unemployment is no reason for the youth to abandon mother body, says ANCYL
ANC Youth League secretary general Tsakani Shiviti urges young South Africans not to turn away from the party in the upcoming elections, arguing that the ANC remains vital for…
Mballet, a garden that grew from concrete
Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa, founder of Mballet Dance Academy, is transforming lives in Tembisa. From her grandmother's backyard, she's created a ballet studio providing children with…
Young South Africans are rewriting the rules of money
Buying a home before getting married. Choosing a reliable second-hand car instead of a luxury vehicle. Using credit to build a financial record instead of funding an expensive…
Why some boys are choosing toilets over classrooms
The author reflects on a high school incident that highlights a deeper issue: why many black boys in South Africa are disengaged from the education system. With matric results…
Behind the March and March hype
In the current hype surrounding 'mabahambe' (they must go) in South Africa, we risk losing an important opportunity for serious intellectual and analytical engagement. This piece…
‘Magnifica Humanitas’: What Pope Leo XIV’s theological document about AI means to Africa’s Gen Z
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," released in May 2025, is sparking global debate. This theological document, a new social doctrine of the Catholic Church,…
We ‘re mothers with debt and degrees; women with data, no title deeds
A veteran journalist from the Class of '76 reflects on the disillusionment and frustration felt after 1994, particularly concerning education, social services, and the…
The unfinished business of freedom
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, connecting the struggles of 1976 to contemporary challenges in South Africa, including…