Latest news with #YouthDay
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Mrs South Africa inspires Dalpark learners with powerful message
The reigning Mrs South Africa, Erin-Jane Miller, brought hope and inspiration to Dalpark Independent School in Benoni this week. Her visit, just after Youth Day, generated excitement among learners and teachers alike. Miller's heartfelt message struck a chord: 'You never know what battles others are fighting.' The event, organised by the 4Change Foundation, was more than just a school visit. It was an experience. Learners participated in interactive activities, lively skits, and candid conversations. The focus? The real challenges facing South African youth today. Bullying, gender-based violence, and the struggle to find one's identity were all on the agenda, according to her Instagram post. 'If there's one thing I hope the youth take away from this month, it's the importance of self-discovery,' Miller told the learners. 'You're still figuring out who you are. It's tough. But remember, when someone acts out, it's often a cry for help. Be gracious. Everyone is facing their struggles.' Miller's words resonated deeply. Many students nodded in agreement, with some even sharing their own stories. The atmosphere was open and supportive. 'We need to address the root causes, not just put a plaster on the wound,' Miller said. 'It starts at home, with the values we teach. We must empower young girls and encourage men to step up as positive role models.' The 4Change Foundation, which Miller has supported for over 16 years, uses arts, mentorship, and leadership training to uplift communities. Their work has changed thousands of lives across South Africa. During the visit, Miller shared a moving story about twin brothers who went from being the school's troublemakers to becoming a teacher and a navy serviceman. 'You cannot deny the power of a changed life,' she said. 'All it takes is someone believing in you.' Miller's background gives her words weight. Growing up, she saw firsthand the dangers of gangsterism, drug abuse, and limited opportunities. 'I want to create different options for our youth,' she said. 'Too many young people fall into crime because they feel forgotten.' Her role as Mrs South Africa has opened new doors for the 4Change Foundation. 'The platform has given us access to key stakeholders and resources,' Miller explained. 'It's about reaching more people with a meaningful message. It's far more than a pageant.' Looking ahead, Miller is helping to launch 'Elevate', a new support programme for university students. The initiative, in partnership with a major tertiary institution, will offer an app for vulnerable students to access essentials like meals and resources. 'My goal is to use every resource I have to share these stories,' Miller said. 'Empowering young people changes communities. I encourage everyone to support youth programmes in any way they can.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Skills for a changing world: embracing the youth for meaningful economic participation
Amid a rapidly transforming global economy, one truth remains constant: South Africa's greatest asset is its young people. This Youth Month, as we reflect on the courage of the 1976 generation, we must also confront the urgent task before us — ensuring today's youth are equipped with the skills they need not only to participate in the economy, but to lead and shape it. We are not short of talent or ambition. Young people are brimming with ideas, energy and vision. What they lack are pathways. The skills crisis we face is not just about education — it's about access, equity and relevance. The exclusion of black South Africans from meaningful skills training under apartheid has left deep scars. Designed to limit, not uplift, apartheid's education and labour policies robbed generations of the opportunity to thrive. Today's high youth unemployment — over 45% — is not just an economic failure; it is the legacy of a deliberate historical injustice. Yet we cannot only look to the past. Our failure to reform outdated models of education and training is also perpetuating the crisis. Too many of our systems are still preparing young people for jobs that no longer exist. I agree with Deputy President Paul Mashatile's statement during his Youth Day address that, 'South Africa must address the structural challenges in its economy to tackle inequality and the growing mismatch between education and labour market demands'. He went on to say: 'There is urgent need to future-proof our young people with adaptable skills and the necessary capabilities to navigate the evolving labour market and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy and industries in an era of rapid technological and social transformation.' Being conscious of what has contributed to the issues young people face, we must now concentrate on paths rather than pit stops. As stated explicitly by Mashatile, , 'This is more than just a financial issue. It is a moral emergency. It affects our whole society and demands urgent action from all sectors, including government, business and communities at large.' Let us commit to a South Africa where a girl in a rural village has the same opportunity to code, create and lead as anyone else. Let us build systems that don't just prepare youth for work but prepare them to reshape the future of work No-one should be left behind; we must ensure that every young South African leaves school with a tangible next step: into a job, a business, a skill or further education. To prepare for the South African economy of the future, we must: Modernise education, especially Stem and TVET; Expand digital and green infrastructure in townships and rural areas; Reform public procurement to favour youth- and women-owned businesses; Support fintech solutions for youth credit access; and Embed entrepreneurial education and financial literacy from an early age. The 21st century economy demands a new vision that includes digitisation, climate change, artificial intelligence and the rise of the green economy, which is reshaping work. We must therefore prioritise: Digital skills — from coding to cybersecurity and data analytics; ensure authenticity in AI and data analytics, we must centre human behaviour, acknowledging its influence on data, algorithms and decisions. This means designing systems that are not only intelligent but also ethical, transparent, and accountable to the people they serve; Green skills — including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and climate resilience; Entrepreneurial and co-operative skills — empowering youth to create rather than wait for opportunities; Critical thinking and civic engagement — enabling youth to understand and transform their environments; and Land Skills — including agribusiness management, mechanisation, drone technology, commercial and enterprise development, industrial and economic skills. These skills should further include export market and trade skills. Skills development must not just serve the labour market; it must serve society. Young people must be equipped not only to find work, but to build a more just, sustainable and inclusive economy. This is where the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) comes into the picture. The HRDC aims to reduce the scourge of poverty, inequality and unemployment through creating platforms for social partners to deliberate on the country's skills and human capital development. Our economic transformation must be people-centred. Skills must foster critical consciousness, not just compliance. As education theorist Paulo Freire argues, we must move from 'banking education' to empowering pedagogy — helping youth understand their world and act to change it. Young people must take up opportunities that are available to them to build a better future. Government has made available initiatives like: the Youth Employment Service; NYDA grants; Sefa loans; the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which provide valuable stepping stones; and a South African National Service Institute (Sansi), which create a range of nationwide interventions and programmes with sustainable and clearly defined opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, coding and robotics, energy and related value chains, among many others. The Youth of 1976 have paved the path and we do not start from scratch. Let us commit to a South Africa where a girl in a rural village has the same opportunity to code, create and lead as anyone else. Let us build systems that don't just prepare youth for work but prepare them to reshape the future of work. The future imagined and fought for by the generation of 1976 is the one of dignity, equity and shared prosperity. In the words of the Mashatile, young people deserve nothing less than a future in which their skills, creativity and determination may thrive in a world that is constantly changing. • Gadija Brown, special economic adviser to the deputy president
The Herald
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Time to discuss the youth — but maybe not
Opinion Given all the spectacles of human weakness, wickedness and wilful self-delusion, Youth Day was quiet Premium 20 June 2025 It's been a startling few days, not least for the great and the good (and also some ANC people) roped into President Cyril Ramaphosa's National Dialogue™ (terms and condition apply), who learnt over the weekend that the process will cost about R700m, presumably because their musings will be engraved directly onto sheets of platinum. According to Mduduzi Mbada, deputy president Paul Mashatile's chief of staff, the reason for this price tag is that 'democracy is not cheap', which is, I suppose, why the Guptas paid so much for it when they bought it from some of Mashatile's current and former colleagues. ..
The Star
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
'We will not beg anyone': Jacob Zuma on the slippery MK secretary general seat
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 3 days ago Leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe party, former president Jacob Zuma, has addressed thousands of supporters in Durban, where the political outfit launched its youth league during an event to commemorate Youth Day. Zuma stated that when he announced the formation of the MK party, he recognised that the youth would be central to its operations and mission. 'On 15 December (2023) when I made an announcement and I said those who I was part of, were fighting for freedom, and they have moved off the road. I said I am establishing this party. But I said something else that I would say on a different day. 'I said we want to take the elections and win them, and rule this country, as we said we are going to. I would not have died before I see the correct and indeed the freedom that we have spoken about. 'When I made the announcement, I knew that at the heart of the revolution is the youth in fact. It is the youth that are at the heart of succeeding in whatever we do. I am very happy that today I can say without hesitation that the youth of this country is on the road to liberate this country,' he said. The MK party leader added that the 'freedom' is not very far. Zuma said he believes it is the youth of South Africa who must lead the campaign in speaking out against the problems bedevilling the citizens. 'I don't think we should keep quiet and wait that until there is an occasion bla bla bla. We are still oppressed but the oppression of this time is at another level, and we should not accept it,' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The youth is here. When we started, we knew that we could not do everything in one day. We have the youth (league) now. The youth have a role to play in history.' Zuma said when the African National Congress (ANC) it was the youth league which took the revolution to greater heights. Moving onto internal MK party matters, Zuma said the party is not beholden to anyone, and no one will be begged to stay. 'Let us not take this organisation as an organisation that you come to make money. This is not the organisation to make money. It is an organisation to liberate South Africa, this one,' said Zuma. 'That is why, if you look seriously, you realise that if we have one of us who goes out of the way, we do not beg them. Let me just tell you, it is now seven people who have occupied the position of secretary general, because we are not playing. Even if you think you are big, you have a huge following or whatever, we don't care, we talk about our party.' A week ago, IOL reported that Floyd Shivambu has been removed as the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party's secretary-general. At a press briefing hosted in Durban, the MK party said this comes after an investigation into Shivambu's trip to Malawi to visit fugitive pastor, Shepherd Bushiri's Jesus Nation Church, which was found to be against the party's constitution. A statement on behalf of Zuma was read by Nathi Nhleko, the party's national organiser. [email protected] IOL News
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Greenspark community marks Youth Day with powerful anti-drug campaign
The Greenspark community in Fochville took a firm stand against drug abuse on Youth Day, using the occasion to raise awareness and inspire change among local youth. March and sports unite youth against drugs Led by community activist Glen Fourie, the event began with a peaceful march from Greenspark Primary School to the local stadium. Once there, young people enjoyed a day of soccer and netball, promoting healthy alternatives to substance use. 'If you go to the police holding cells at Fochville, they are full of young people who stole to get money to buy drugs,' Fourie said. He emphasized the urgent need for intervention, especially in areas with limited recreational opportunities. Former addicts share their stories Community member Calvin Fourie, a recovering addict, shared his journey: 'I started using drugs because of peer pressure. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Now, I feel sorry for the young users who have to sleep outside in the winter cold because of their choices.' Calvin is now clean and actively shares his experience to help guide others. Plans to build a safer, drug-free Greenspark Driven by concern and hope, residents are determined to change the narrative in Greenspark. Future plans include: Workshops to teach youth healthy coping strategies Collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Departments of Health and Social Services Involvement of churches and local businesses The possible installation of boom gates at town entrances to curb criminal activity Broad support from community stakeholders The event received strong backing from various sectors. Traffic officers from Merafong City Local Municipality ensured safety during the march, and local churches and government departments pledged continued support. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
