COLLEN MASHAWANA FOUNDATION YOUTH DAY 2026 STATEMENT
Today, as South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the historic Soweto Uprising, we pay tribute to the brave young people of 1976 whose courage, determination, and sacrifice helped shape the democratic South Africa we enjoy today.
The youth of 1976 understood that change requires courage, unity, and action. They stood up against injustice and demonstrated the powerful role that young people can play in transforming society.
Fifty years later, South Africa faces a different struggle. While political freedom has been achieved, many young people continue to face unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime, substance abuse, mental health challenges, and limited economic opportunities. These challenges threaten the future of our communities and require a new generation of leaders and change-makers.
As we honour the legacy of 1976, we call on young people across the country to embrace education, entrepreneurship, innovation, community service, and active citizenship. The same spirit that drove the youth of Soweto to fight for a better future must now inspire today’s generation to help solve the social and economic challenges facing our nation.
The future of South Africa will not be built by government alone. It will be built by young people who choose to lead with purpose, create opportunities for others, uplift their communities, and become part of the solution.
At the Collen Mashawana Foundation, we remain committed to empowering young people through initiatives that promote education, skills development, entrepreneurship, housing, and community upliftment. We believe that when young people are given opportunities, they become powerful agents of change.
As we reflect on the sacrifices of 1976, let us honour their legacy not only through remembrance, but through meaningful action. Together, let us build a South Africa where every young person has the opportunity to realise their full potential and contribute to a more prosperous, inclusive, and united nation.
The struggle of 1976 was for freedom. The responsibility of 2026 is to use that freedom to build a better South Africa for all.
Issued by the Collen Mashawana Foundation
16 June 2026