Blog
Welcome to the ACTIVATE! Change Drivers blog, where youth leaders share stories, insights, and strategies for driving social change.
Explore posts on local and national initiatives, community projects, and tips for aspiring change drivers. Dive into the heart of youth activism and be inspired by the real-life stories shaping South Africa’s future.
Celebrating Women’s Excellence and Leadership: Lady Mariéme Jamme in the Spotlight
The South African government appointed technology leader and digital transformation advocate Lady...
Why Climate Justice Begins with People
A Feature on Thabang Wamo Afrika (Thabang Makgakwe), Founder of Energy Trade SA In 2025, Thabang...
KZN 2019 ACTIVATE! Change Driver Ntwenhle Nkosingiphile Leads Mandela Day House Rebuild & Health Drive in Imbali
This Nelson Mandela Day, youth leadership turned 67 minutes into lasting change in Imbali Unit 18....
Ramoloti is helping Moruleng’s children find purpose through the Arts
For many, royalty exists at a distance, admired from afar. But for a group of young creatives in...
In Komga, Amanda Dumisa Is Turning Mandela Day Into Everyday Work
On the first day Amanda Dumisa opened her home to feed people in Komga, it was raining. The small...
Celebrating Mandela Through AI Creative Challenge
As South Africa and the world prepare to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day on the 18th of July , the...
How Emmanuel Prosper Mafuma Turned Farming into a Mission of Social Justice
Every July, South Africans are reminded that Mandela Day is far more than a symbolic date on the...
Beyond 67 Minutes: A 2026 Mandela Month Blueprint for Active Citizenship
July 2026 marks 18 years since Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s passing. It also falls three years...
Sipho Mnisi: A Commitment to Building Peace and Everything In-Between
Sipho Mnisi is a 2017 Activator, a passionate individual about youth and LGBTIQA leadership, a...
Mpumelelo Bernice Mjekelo: Empowering Youth Voices Through Poetry and Storytelling
Mpumelelo Bernice Mtjekelo is an activator who founded and manages Spoken and Unspoken Word (Pty)...
Growing Readers and Connecting Leaders
Italiah Mthethwa, a 2019 Activator from Elias Motsoaledi local municipality, whose passion lies in youth development, education, leadership, and African integration. She is a community development advocate and communications professional dedicated to empowering young people through education, leadership, and meaningful engagement. This explains her various contributions within her community and beyond.
Celebrating Women’s Excellence and Leadership: Lady Mariéme Jamme in the Spotlight
The South African government appointed technology leader and digital transformation advocate Lady Mariéme Jamme as the country’s Special Envoy for Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in July. Born in Senegal, West Africa, Lady Mariéme Jamme has built an internationally recognised career advocating for women’s digital inclusion as Africa and the world work towards a shared digital future for all.
Why Climate Justice Begins with People
In 2025, Thabang Makgakwe dedicated his 67 minutes on Mandela Day to launching Energy Trade SA, a bold vision to bring affordable, sustainable energy to South African communities. A year later, his journey has evolved into something deeper: a mission to show that climate justice is not just about the planet it begins with people.
KZN 2019 ACTIVATE! Change Driver Ntwenhle Nkosingiphile Leads Mandela Day House Rebuild & Health Drive in Imbali
This Nelson Mandela Day, youth leadership turned 67 minutes into lasting change in Imbali Unit 18. Ntwenhle Nkosingiphile, a 2019 ACTIVATE! Change Driver from KwaZulu-Natal, spearheaded a dual-impact community initiative on Thursday, 17 July 2026 that addressed two of Madiba’s core priorities: dignity and health. Instead of a once-off gesture, Nkosingiphile and his partners focused on restoring both homes and wellbeing in Ward 15.
View more in our Media Hub
View more in our Media Hub
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An Activator is an active young person who has gone through the ACD programme and is part of a network of young change drivers who are passionate about community development. The training of Activators began in 2012: more than 4 000 young people have undergone the training in all nine provinces of South Africa. As both individuals and networks, Activators have strongly influenced policy platforms and forums and decision-making structures.
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