It’s been 48 years since the Apartheid regime police ambushed youth in Soweto who were marching against Bantu Education Act and Afrikaans as the medium of instruction on 16 June 1976. On that tragic day over 500 young people were killed. Years later, post-Apartheid South African youth face different challenges including the uncertainty of climate change and an unemployment rate of 45,5% in a country with an overall unemployment rate of 32,9% (as of the first quarter of 2024 as reported by Stats SA). This indicates the need of our democracy to create and develop meaningful futures for young people.

Last month, South Africa held its 7th national elections, and we hope that the new government will prioritise both the youth and environment. In commemoration of the youth of 1976, Nobanzi Sokhuthu spoke to three young people who are working towards and advocating for positive transformation. This is what they had to say about democracy and the future.

Zoe Prinsloo

Founder of an eco-friendly product distribution business and registered not for profit company Save a Fishie, Zoe is also an environmental activist, using her social platforms to raise awareness about climate issues.

Democracy holds a special significance for me. It means having the power to influence decision-making processes that directly impact the environment and our planet’s future. I have the opportunity to voice my concerns about environmental issues and hold elected officials accountable for their actions. I can participate in protests, sign petitions, and raise awareness to bring about change. Democracy allows me to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organisations to work towards a common goal of creating a healthier and more sustainable world for future generations.

I hope to help shape the future of our planet and ensure that our natural resources are protected for generations to come. My hope is that my children and my grandchildren will have the opportunity to see wildlife and oceans full of marine life. I want there to be a future. Learn more about Save a Fishie here. 

Saidy Brown

Saidy is a queer woman who was born with HIV, and who learned about her HIV status at 14. She uses various social media platforms to educate people about HIV. She works with a number of organisations, and has been on social media campaigns that work to educate people about life and living with HIV. She currently serves a role as a social media and key populations coordinator at Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa, and she is an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity based at Tekano.

Democracy to me, means being at liberty to play a part in maintaining my freedom and how my future looks like. It means being able to express myself and speak about issues that I’m passionate about without worrying about being silenced. It means freedom… Democracy is so empowering! It is cool, it’s a vibe and it’s life!

I hope to see a world where young people are heard and valued. I envision a future with reduced youth unemployment. I hope to see a world where we can live and be who we are. I hope for a future where people in the LGBTQIA+ community are loved and embraced, not marginalised. Where people living with HIV face no stigma. I hope for a future where people in Palestine, Congo and Sudan experience freedom and peace. I hope for a world free of harm or oppression. Follow Saidy Brown here.

Dean Carlisle

With an honours degree in zoology, Dean realised that the love he has for wildlife was fostered through first-hand experiences. He founded Lessons in Conservation to share that knowledge, create awareness and facilitate wildlife exposure to children from underprivileged communities in the hope that the fire which burns so bright for conservation in him, may be sparked in them too.

I believe true democracy is freedom. True democracy is embodied by the spirit of “Ubuntu.” It is putting the needs of your Country, and your neighbour, above your own needs. True democracy is an unselfish pursuit of what is right. This can only be achieved if every person decides to take hands, regardless of who they are or where they come from, to make the world around them a better place.

I hope for a future where every young person knows about, and cares for, the natural world around them. I hope for a future where protected areas grow, instead of shrinking. Where wildlife corridors can connect the small fragmented pockets of wildlife, and where we can stop referring to biodiversity loss as a major threat to wildlife, and can start to celebrate biodiversity as we slowly begin to realise we are not above nature – we are a part of it. My hope is to use environmental education to do my part to make this a reality. Young people, teaching other young people to care. Conservation needs to move away from something we do, it needs to become who we are.  Find out more about Lessons in Conservation here. 

Zabelo Hlabisa

Crowned Miss Earth South Africa 2023, Zabelo Hlabisa is a master’s degree candidate in Management Sciences at Durban University of Technology. From uMhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal, Zabelo’s journey to the crown was marked by her unwavering dedication to environmental causes. In her words:

To me, democracy means having the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the future of our society. It involves having a voice in decision-making processes, the ability to vote, and the freedom to express opinions and advocate for change. It is a platform to address issues that affect our generation, such as education, climate change, and social justice, and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

I envision an education system that is accessible, adaptable, and prepares us for the evolving demands of the future, emphasising critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. I also desire a robust economy with ample job opportunities, fair wages, and support for entrepreneurship, allowing us to build secure and fulfilling careers. Follow Zabelo Hlabisa here.

• Feature image from Save a Fishie
• Zabelo’s image sourced from Facebook, the rest is supplied.