Our evolving reality: The becoming of South Africa’s youth demographic

Since the early 2000s, I have been working in the youth sector, and I have benefited as a youth development practitioner and as a young person in South Africa.

I came into the youth development sector during President Thabo Mbeki’s tenure, an era when the slogan of hope was emphasised, and we as young people were considered that hope.

As a black young person in the early 2000s, you carried the hope of a household being the first to (matriculate, graduate, and more) get sustainable employment, the hope of the community, and the hope of the country. What a big task it was to carry as a young person in those times.

At the time, it made sense for the youth development sector to see young people beyond the legacy of 1976—as community and nation builders. Through bursaries, some of us could attend university, and there was growing encouragement to pursue careers beyond the familiar paths of policing, nursing, or teaching. The possibilities felt endless: we could become engineers, doctors, or contribute to the development sector as volunteers. The education system was also beginning to change to meet the needs of different sectors. South Africa felt alive with possibility, and young people were central to that promise. Over time, however, it became clear that these opportunities were reaching only a few, while many others were becoming part of the NEET group—young people not in employment, education, or training. Poverty continued to grow, and possibility became available to some, but not to all. We began to realise that the future we wanted as young people would not simply be handed to us; it had to begin within us.

Access

For us, leadership became a clear vehicle for advancing young people’s aspirations in an era still shaped by hope. The word “leadership” was often used in the development space, yet we had not fully interrogated what it meant. What is leadership, and why is it so important for young people’s success? Almost every youth development organisation had some form of leadership programme, but the concept needed deeper definition and meaning.

At the same time, young people were losing their lives in large numbers, and many were also losing parents to HIV and AIDS. Government departments were struggling to respond effectively to the crisis. A key question emerged: how could lifesaving information about HIV and sexual health reach young people in a way that was relevant and accessible?

This was the context in which LoveLife emerged. It brought fresh energy and placed youth leadership at the centre of prevention work in townships such as Orange Farm, Langa, and many others. Youth centres became beacons of hope—safe spaces where young people could meet, learn about HIV prevention, and become “Pintshis,” or peer role models, in their communities. Billboards featuring young faces began sharing messages about sexual health. The conversation shifted beyond abstinence-only messaging, making sexual health education more open, relatable, and youth-centred.

At the same time, many South Africans still needed access to medication. This was a major issue for the youth sector: sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV, were widespread, and people were dying of AIDS-related illnesses. Civil society organisations such as the Treatment Action Campaign played a critical role of advocacy. They challenged stigma, demanded access to antiretroviral treatment, and mobilised communities across the country.

I remember seeing young people, including myself, wearing the purple-and-white HIV-positive T-shirts in solidarity with the campaign for ARV access for people living with HIV and AIDS. While the government and the medical sector were still grappling with the impact of ARVs, many people continued to die. The youth sector needed a breakthrough. Eventually, access to medication was granted. I mention this to highlight the important contribution young people made to the movement. During the major marches, I would visit the TAC office in Site B, Khayelitsha, and often see youth volunteers working alongside Zackie Achmat.

Access was not only on medication, BUT the TAC movement ALSO showed the sector that if we work together as civil society and have a common purpose, we can win.

As we reflect on the 50^th anniversary of the June 16 movement, it becomes important that we ask, what is missing in the current movements?” The youth of 1976 had a common purpose for Freedom. We started seeing the true reflections of the plight of young people. The youth were fighting so many obstacles, big obstacles like poor education, poverty, unemployment, and the reality of what true democracy looks like. Education plays a big role in what is needed to break the poverty cycle. We realised in the movements that access to higher education is a dream.

What Now?

In 2026, there is a temptation to evaluate the last 50 years by asking if it has become better for young people 32 years into Free South Africa and 50 years since the June 16 movement. We have now entered the Tinswalo era, an era of idolised hope.

During the 2024 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa gave a report on the success of his administration in assisting youth through different programmes like the YES programme. However, there are youth who didn’t relate to the report, as they haven’t seen the change for the youth in South Africa, let alone benefit in their Tintswalo, capacity.

Before becoming CEO of Youth Network Activate Change Drivers, I joined the programme as a beneficiary and young person in 2012. It drove home the reality of just how diverse the youth of South Africa are and that their needs are different.

A one-path response from the government is a challenge as it restricts and limits what is possible for young people and our nation. Our youth network, Activate Change Drivers, has solidified its presence as one of the national youth development organisations in South Africa through its work in the last 13 years, and has been actively listening to different youth in the country, from Saldanha to Ga-Sekgopo and from Centani to Postmansburg. Not only did we see the overwhelming need for access from the youth, but also the lack of hope for a better future.

The reality of ever being not only employable but feeling as part of the country’s Assets. Most of the youth we engage with tell us that they don’t feel seen by the leadership of the country or heard. They don’t know where to start to get the attention they deserve. An African proverb says, ”The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” Well, the youth are saying there is no warmth coming from their South African Village. We need to start separating the youth Agenda from the country Agenda. Looking at the youth Agenda beyond the youth, June 16, and we can’t see youth as solely v

The question remains.

#DOYOUSEEUS!

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About the Author:

Siphelele Chirwa is a 2012 Activator and CEO of the Activate Change Drivers national youth network. She is passionate about civil society and considers young people the best vehicle to realising meaningful development in society.