Molepo Precious Mashiane: Putting Community Development at the Heart of Youth Leadership

From student politics and community activism to a vision for responsive local government, Molepo Precious Mashiane believes meaningful change begins with understanding community needs and creating opportunities closer to home. A local government candidate representing ActionSA, Mashiane draws on his experience in student leadership, community development and entrepreneurship to champion youth empowerment, accessible public services and local economic development.

His leadership journey began in high school, where he was elected to a student leadership position. He later became involved in the South African Students Congress (SASCO) while studying at university. Beyond campus politics, he participated in community sports initiatives and helped secure sponsorships for local activities, experiences that strengthened his belief in community-centred leadership.

Creating opportunities for young people

Mashiane believes local government must do more than make promises about addressing youth unemployment. He wants to see practical support for young entrepreneurs, small businesses and emerging farmers, particularly in rural communities where economic opportunities remain limited. He argues that helping small businesses access funding and resources can create employment beyond individual business owners. He also sees opportunities in agriculture, including backyard poultry farming and other small-scale initiatives that can help communities generate sustainable income. He credits organised movements such as Activate! Change Drivers for developing a network of young people who are capacitated with knowledge and skills to enhance on their already existing leadership capacities in their various communities and for ultimately doing the work that ought to have been led and perfectly executed by government.

For Mashiane, youth development is also linked to addressing crime and social challenges. He believes expanding access to sports, agricultural activities and meaningful economic opportunities can help young people build more secure futures.

Bringing services closer to communities

One of Mashiane’s key priorities is improving access to information and essential services for rural residents who often have to travel long distances, including to Polokwane, to make enquiries or access support. He proposes establishing a multi-purpose service centre where community members could obtain information and connect with relevant departments and services closer to home.

He also advocates for stronger public-private partnerships to expand employment opportunities, particularly for young people pursuing technical and professional careers. He believes collaboration between government, businesses and communities is essential to addressing local development challenges.

Accountability starts with listening

Mashiane maintains that effective leadership begins before taking public office. He says his engagement with community members has helped him identify challenges, including young people who have completed matric but cannot access further education or training. He also wants to explore ways of supporting local agricultural activities and making better use of available farming opportunities.

If elected, he believes residents should continue to have direct access to their representatives. His experience in private-sector work and public-private partnerships, he says, has allowed him to assist some people in accessing employment opportunities and help learners and students gain admission to higher education institutions. For him, maintaining these relationships is essential to ensuring that community concerns are heard and commitments can be followed up.

Encouraging meaningful youth participation

Mashiane believes young people must participate in community development beyond voting during elections. He encourages them to seek out opportunities through institutions such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and municipal youth desks.

He has also raised concerns about the limited number of youth-led non-profit organisations and cooperatives he has encountered in villages within his area. He believes young people need better awareness of existing support structures and the confidence to use them to develop their own initiatives. However, he recognises that participation also depends on institutions being accessible and responsive to the needs of young people.

A vision for accessible development

For Mashiane, the ultimate goal is to build communities where young people can access services, pursue economic opportunities and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives. His proposed multi-purpose service centre and emphasis on public-private partnerships form part of this vision. Whether these proposals can be implemented will depend on available resources, institutional responsibilities and effective collaboration.

As South Africa continues to grapple with youth unemployment and unequal access to opportunities, Mashiane’s approach highlights the importance of leadership that listens to communities and seeks practical solutions. Ultimately, his vision will be measured not only by promises made during election campaigns, but by the opportunities created, services delivered and improvements residents experience in their everyday lives.

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About the Author:

Ntsiki Khunju is a passionate writer, child protection advocate, and women’s rights activist. As a dedicated contributor to Activate! Change Drivers, Ntsiki uses the power of words to spark vital conversations, drive positive change, and empower communities. With a deep commitment to advocacy, she plays a pivotal role in protecting children and advancing the rights of women through her work. She is devoted to using her writing to inform, educate, and inspire, helping to foster a more just and equitable society.