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Youth

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History: The youth of 1976 demanded the right to learn. . . the youth of 2026 require the tools to thrive. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

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…

South Africans in Exile

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's ambassador to South Africa Anna Karin Eneström.

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…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has urged eligible citizens to make use of its online registration platform to minimise long queues .
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

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…

Dance: Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa has created a ballet academy that is giving children an opportunity she once lost. Photos: Supplied

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…

Pope Leo is calling upon our African youth to be more vigilant about AI’s risks to humanity, to use it responsibly and institute AI governance tenets to avoid getting lost in agendas of transhumanism and post-humanism.

‘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,…

Future up in smoke: Our sons are bitter, says the writer. They are emasculated and turn that rage against the girl child.  Photo: IOL

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…

Maladministration: It is a sad indictment of the brave efforts of the 1976 cohort of students that in 2026, those who come after them have to cross rivers to get to school.

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…

For Bulelwa Mpinda, worship is not an accessory, it is survival.

Young & Spiritually Inspired: A 15-year movement turning pain into purpose

Born from its founder’s journey of abandonment, healing, and faith, Young & Spiritually Inspired is a global movement using words, worship, and community to restore hope and lead…

A Tanzanian commission investigating deadly unrest following the October 2025 general election has recommended national reconciliation, criminal investigations and fast-tracking a new Constitution by 2028. Photo: Wainaina Mburu

Failed economies and systemic decay: Gen Z defy the elites for political change

The youth describe their movements as leaderless and digital, as they defy the old elites who have led to frustration due to failed economies and systemic decay.

Ramaphosa said the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan has attracted about R250 billion in international pledges for large-scale manufacturing, infrastructure and skills development.

Procedural justice foundation of South Africa’s just energy transition

The JET must be deep: redistributive, participatory and youth-led