Every year youth day comes around it’s important to connect with the past and why we celebrate it. More than 20,000 youth in 1976 marched in Soweto, Johannesburg, where sadly hundreds lost their lives for standing up for their rights against the apartheid government. Forty four years on it marks a day to think about the present and the future for our youth.

It’s so very easy to focus on the negative forces that influence young people in South Africa. Go to any news website and there will be stories about youth unemployment, gansterism, violence etc.

Let’s rather remember some of the inspiring stories of youth climate activists as well as celebrate the present and future climate leaders of South Africa and the world.

In 1992, a 12 year old girl named Severn Suzuki stood in front of world leaders at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to give a youth perspective on environmental issues. This was the first time that a young person had the confidence to stand in front of decision makers and say it how it is.

Since Severn spoke, youth voices were quashed for 25 years until Greta Thunberg picked up the gauntlet and inspired youth from all around the world to speak up and turn words into actions. The Fridays for Future movement has inspired and mobilised young leaders into action from New York to New Dehli, from Kampala to Cape Town.

Xiye Bastida Patrick a 17 year old climate activist from New York speaks about the ‘urgency’ that youth have given to the climate movement. It has been around for a long time yet it is only in the last few years that it is picking up momentum.

In New Delhi 8 year old Licypriya Kangujam has been campaigning for cleaner air and climate change education in schools. Two states in India have incorporated climate change into their school curriculums as a result of her activism.

In Uganda Vanessa Nakate age 23 started protesting against the subsidizing of fossil fuels and the rising temperatures in Uganda. She sees drought and starvation as huge issues that need to be addressed.

Likewise Ayakha Melithafa from Cape Town has also seen the devastating effects of drought on rural parts of South Africa and has risen to be a strong voice for the youth calling on climate inaction, addressing our president Cyril Ramaphosa at the State of the Nation Address this year to # leave no african child behind.

We are proud to say that Ayakha was one of forty stellar participants in our climate leadership programme in 2019 – The YouLead Initiative. This year we have a new cohort of aspiring climate leaders and asked them a few questions for youth day, here were their responses along with some of their YouLead Mentors:

What does youth day mean to you?

Elethu Matwa – ‘June 16 Youth day represents the acknowledgement of physical strength and mental power that young people including myself have. It is also a reminder to young people that it is best to use this profound statement that is “whatever the mind conceives and believe, the mind can achieve” at this very moment of our youth before we grow old and regretful about things we should have done this in our youth days. Youth day also challenges us as young people about what value do we bring as young people be it in our schools, communities, social gatherings, the world and most importantly to our generation.’

Emihle Mlonzi – ‘The reason behind youth day is to celebrate the youth of 1976. They fought for what the youth of today has, let me not forget that they also played a role in fighting and overcoming the inequality and the oppression caused by apartheid.

Youth Day to me is a day whereby I as a youth make the time to show respect to the youth of 1976 and try to make change in the society of today because we are still oppressed in some kind of way.’

Zanele Ntlantlu – ‘Youth Day on June 16 is a public holiday that is celebrated in South Africa which recalls and shows respect for the number of protests that took place across the country in 1976. This is well-known as the Soweto Uprising. The youth of 1976 protested against a government system that oppressed them. They took it to their hands to bring change to South Africa.

Youth Day means to me that I am who I am and I am where I am because of the brave youth of 1976 who were not silent about what oppressed them. Youth day gives me hope that I can change any system that fails me. It encourages me to speak out and raise my voice as it can bring change.’

What is this generation of youth capable of doing?

Elethu Matwa – ‘My generation is capable of unlocking social, economical, political and environmental barriers that were stumbling blocks to previous generations. As young as we are, we are capable of challenging authorities and decision makers about their actions in our lifetime.

My generation is capable of making ethical future oriented decisions, we are prepared to defend what is correct and just even if our lives are being threatened.’

Emihle Mlonzi – ‘Our generation is capable and can turn the world into a better place. We have the power to address bad social doings that are affecting our society such as gender-based violence, climate change, and poverty.’

Zanele Ntlantlu – ‘This current generation is capable of bringing change not only to our country as South Africa, but to the entire world. We can change everyone’s mentality including the mentality of our leaders in authority regarding the global ecological crisis as well as other global issues like poverty, racism, violence etc. Technology plays a vital role in our lives. We can raise awareness through our social media platforms, joining (online) campaigns, joining youth organizations, and by using our creativity… We can bring change. For an instance, a simple hashtag can go a long way!’

Wandile Jonas (YouLead Mentor) – This generation of youth is capable of influencing the decisions that would be taken in the administration of this country & the world.

As a leader of tomorrow what do you want our future to be?

Elethu Matwa – ‘An ideal future for me is when humanity, animals and the planet together with everything in it are being prioritised by us as human beings because the ultimate power to do good or bad lies not far from our reach.

I want a future whereby everyone is being groomed to reach their absolute best through the focus of individual SWOT Analysis, in this way there will be no one without something to do (less unemployment).’

Zanele Ntlantlu – ‘As a leader of tomorrow, I want our future to be friendly and kind to all of us. I want healthy environments where poverty is less, racism does not exist and equal rights are implemented to all. A future where a greener environment is prioritized. Healthy and clear air to inhale. I want gender based violence to end and those who are offenders of it, received very suitable punishment. A future where children and the youth have all their basic needs met and they are well educated and groomed as they have the future in their hands and have the power to change their countries and develop them.’

Wandile Jonas (YouLead Mentor) – ‘I envision a future of an inclusive economy, gender based violence free, a future that is non-racial, sexist and of cause one that will produce catalysts for environmental justice.’

Kutlwano Nondabula (YouLead Mentor) – ‘Through our YouLead initiative we can create a future of leaders who can influence others to become warriors of climate change and environmental protection. YouLead Warriors are confident, influential, action based and very passionate on what they do to create positive outcomes for the organization and the environment we live in.’

Youth have The Power To Change the future and the future is now.