Celebrating Youth Month through legacy and action
Siya Kolisi singing the national anthem at the Cape Town Stadium. Today, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika is intertwined into South Africa's national anthem, alongside parts of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika, symbolising 'unity' in a post-apartheid era, as declared by Nelson Mandela in 1994.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane /Independent Newspapers
June is Youth Month in South Africa, a time to honour the fearless spirit of young people who dare to dream, act, and shape the future.
While we commemorate the historic uprising of June 16, 1976, when Soweto's youth stood resilient against an oppressive system, Youth Month is more than a reflection on the past; it's a call to action for today's generation.
It's a reminder that your ideas, no matter how small they seem, can ignite change that will echo across time and borders. Take inspiration fromEnoch Sontonga, a young visionary whose creativity left an indelible mark on Africa. This Youth Month, let's ignite that same courage and drive in you to turn your ideas into reality.
The Legacy of Enoch Sontonga, A Young Dreamer's Impact
In 1897, a 24-year-old Xhosa teacher and choirmaster named Enoch Mankayi Sontonga sat in a Methodist mission school in Nancefield, near Johannesburg, and penned a hymn that would become a beacon of hope for millions of people across Southern Africa.
He was born around 1873 in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, and he was a product of the Lovedale Mission Training College, where he honed his skills as an educator and poet.
At just 24, he composed Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika ('God Bless Africa'), a prayer for unity and liberation, initially intended for his school choir. Little did he know that his words and melody would transcend his lifetime, becoming a pan-African anthem of resilience and freedom.
First performed publicly in 1899 at the ordination of Reverend John Hlengani Mboweni, the hymn gained traction when John Langalibalele Dube's Ohlange Institute choir sang it at the South African Native National Congress in 1912.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
By 1925, the African National Congress (ANC) adopted it as their official closing anthem, and it became a defiant cry against apartheid, banned by the regime for its association with the liberation struggle. After Sontonga's untimely death in 1905 at age 32, Xhosa poet Samuel Mqhayi added seven stanzas in 1927, deepening its call for Africa's redemption.
Today, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika is intertwined into South Africa's national anthem, alongside parts of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika, symbolising 'unity' in a post-apartheid era, as declared by Nelson Mandela in 1994.
Beyond South Africa, its melody has been adopted as the national anthem of Tanzania (Mungu Ibariki Afrika), Zambia, and briefly Zimbabwe and Namibia, proving the universal power of a young person's vision. Sontonga, who died young and relatively unknown, shows us that age is no barrier to impact. His story challenges you to act on your ideas now, trusting they can ripple far beyond your immediate world.
Sandile Mlangeni is a 2019 GP-based Activator. He is passionate about youth activism.
Image: Supplied
Your Ideas Matter: Turning Vision into Action
Sontonga and the youth of 1976 share a common thread: they didn't let their age or circumstances define their potential. You, too, have the power to execute your ideas, whether it's starting a community project, launching a business, or creating art that speaks to your truth. Here's how to channel that energy this Youth Month:
1. Start Small, Dream Big: Sontonga wrote Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika for his school choir, not imagining it would become a continental anthem. Your idea doesn't need to be grand from the start. Write that poem, code that app, or pitch that project. Small steps can lead to monumental outcomes.
2. Embrace Resilience: The Soweto youth faced unimaginable odds, yet their courage persisted. When setbacks hit, whether it's funding, doubt, or failure, keep pushing. Resilience turns ideas into reality.
3. Collaborate and Connect: Sontonga's hymn grew through the voices of choirs and activists who carried it forward. Find your community friends, mentors, or online networks who share your vision and can amplify your impact.
4. Act Now: At 24, Sontonga didn't wait for the 'perfect moment.' The youth of 1976 didn't hesitate to demand change. Your age is your strength; your energy, fresh perspective, and boldness are assets. Seize this moment.
June 16, 1976, The Resilience of Youth. Youth Month's roots lie in the courage of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when thousands of students, some as young as 13, marched against the apartheid government's imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools. On June 16, these young people faced brutal repression; hundreds were killed, including Hector Pieterson, whose image became a symbol of resistance.
Their defiance wasn't just a protest; it was a declaration that the youth could challenge injustice and demand a better future. Their resilience galvanised the anti-apartheid movement, proving that young voices could shift the course of history.
The lesson from 1976 isn't just about rebellion, it's about conviction. Those students didn't wait for permission or for someone older to lead. They saw a problem, organised, and acted, despite the risks. Their legacy reminds us that youth is not a time to wait but a time to move, to create, to build.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Umhlanga actress inspires youth to be the change
Umhlanga actress inspires youth to be the change 'The Changemakers is a non-profit organisation that I started a year ago. It's dedicated to helping people and inspiring others to do the same. I wanted to do my part to bring about real change in our country,' said Sukuram. Sukuram holds a BCom in accounting but her heart has always belonged to the arts, particularly acting. 'I've loved acting since I was a little girl. It allows people to explore different characters and stories, and connect on a deeper level.' While she's made strides in her acting career, becoming the first South African actress to appear in multiple Zee TV series, it's her work with The Changemakers that speaks volumes about her commitment to social justice. Also read: Greenwood Park youth celebrate leadership, diversity One of the organisation's standout initiatives is a gender-based violence awareness campaign launched in 2023. 'We partnered with EnviroSpecSA to visit schools and teach girls self-defence. Self-defence is a vital skill as it empowers girls to protect themselves and gives them confidence.' Balancing a career in entertainment with activism isn't easy, but Sukuram said time management and passion keep her grounded. 'I create a calendar that accommodates both my acting and NPO responsibilities. I prioritise what matters most, whether it's preparing for a role or planning our next outreach.' Youth Month, she said, is a powerful reminder of what young South Africans are capable of. 'To me, Youth Month acknowledges the important role we play in shaping the future. It's about recognising our potential and giving us the tools to lead.' She encourages other young people to speak up and take action in their communities. Watch: Gen Z shares what Youth Day means to them 30 years into democracy 'Use your voice. Use your talents. Whether it's art, music, or leadership, your passion can create change.' Through The Changemakers, Sukuram hopes to continue addressing a range of issues, from GBV to education, and dreams of one day helping thousands of South Africans. She wants it to be an organisation that's known for getting things done, for being effective and impactful. 'You as the youth of South Africa are the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. Keep pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and striving for greatness. Don't wait for change, be the change.' To follow or support Sukuram's work with The Changemakers, visit her Instagram page: @tekayha\_s. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
'Not a god': arguments end in Combs trial ahead of deliberations
NEW YORK - Sean "Diddy" Combs's lawyer aimed Friday to skewer the credibility of the music mogul's accusers, saying in closing arguments they were out for money while rejecting any notion he led a criminal ring. But in their rebuttal, the trial's final stage before jurors are tasked with deciding the verdict, prosecutors tore into the defence, saying Combs's team had "contorted the facts endlessly." Prosecutor Maurene Comey told jurors that by the time Combs, once among the most powerful people in music had committed his clearest-cut offences, "he was so far past the line he couldn't even see it." "In his mind, he was untouchable," she told the court. "The defendant never thought that the women he abused would have the courage to speak out loud what he had done to them." "That ends in this courtroom," she said. "The defendant is not a god." For most of Friday's hearing defence attorney Marc Agnifilo picked apart, and even made light of, the testimony of women who were in long-term relationships with Combs, and who said he had coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties with paid escorts. Agnifilo scoffed at the picture painted by prosecutors of a violent, domineering man who used his employees, wealth and power to foster "a climate of fear" that allowed him to act with impunity. Combs, 55, is a "self-made, successful Black entrepreneur" who had romantic relationships that were "complicated" but consensual, Agnifilo said. In his freewheeling, nearly four-hour-long argument, Agnifilo aimed to confuse the methodic narrative US attorney Christy Slavik provided one day prior. She had spent nearly five hours meticulously walking the jury through the charges and their legal basis, summarising thousands of phone, financial, travel and audiovisual records along with nearly seven weeks of testimony from 34 witnesses. Central to their case is the claim that Combs led a criminal enterprise of senior employees, including his chief-of-staff and security guards, who "existed to serve his needs." But Agnifilo underscored that none of those individuals testified against Combs, nor were they named as co-conspirators. "This is supposed to be simple," the defence counsel told jurors. "If you find that you're in the weeds of this great complexity, maybe it's because it just isn't there." If convicted, Combs faces upwards of life in prison. 'BRAZEN' Casandra Ventura and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane described abuse, threats and coercive sex in excruciating detail. Combs's defence has conceded that domestic violence was a feature of the artist's relationships, but that his outbursts did not amount to sex trafficking. The defence insisted the women were consenting adults. Prosecutor Comey snapped back that they were being "manipulated" into "brazen" acts of sex trafficking, reiterating once again for jurors what the government says are the clearest-cut examples. Agnifilo pointed to Ventura's civil lawsuit against Combs in which she was granted $20 million: "If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it would be Cassie," he said. Comey called that notion insulting: "What was her prize? Black eyes? A gash in her head? Sex for days with a UTI?" The prosecutor also pointed to a violent episode between Combs and Jane, when she says she struck him in an argument before he brutally beat her, knocked her down in the shower, and then forced her into giving an escort oral sex. "Jane may have started that fight, but he finished it with a vengeance," Comey said, calling that incident the most obvious sex trafficking case and saying he had "literally beaten her into submission." Throughout the trial, jurors were shown voluminous phone records, including messages of affection and desire from both women, and Agnifilo emphasised the love and romance once again. Both prosecutors said taking those words literally, and in isolation, doesn't paint the whole picture. They also referenced testimony from a forensic psychologist who explained to jurors how victims become ensnared by abusers. "The defence is throwing anything they can think of at the wall, hoping something will stick," Comey said. On Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian will instruct jurors on how to apply the law to the evidence for their deliberations. Then, 12 New Yorkers will determine Combs's future. But Combs's legal worries may not end there, after three new sexual assault lawsuits were filed against him this week. One was by a woman who alleged the rapper's son, Justin, lured her from the southern state of Louisiana to Los Angeles where she was held captive, drugged and gang raped by three masked men in 2017. One of the men was allegedly Sean Combs. The other two cases were filed by men who accuse the rapper and his team of drugging and sexually assaulting them at parties in 2021 and 2023.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Divorce glow up? Rachel Kolisi shows off new look
Rachel Kolisi is showing off a new look amid her high-profile divorce from her former husband, Siya Kolisi, and South Africans are loving it! The mother-of-two announced her divorce last October and has been navigating life as a single parent. RACHEL KOLISI SHOWS OFF POST DIVORCE MAKEOVER In a recent Instagram post, Rachel Kolisi showed off a fresh, youthful look courtesy of a shorter haircut, a full face of glamorous make-up, and a stylish outfit. The 35-year-old was enjoying a girls' night out with Springbok WAGS like Aimee Kitshoff, Saskia Snyman, Hope Mortimer, and Rassie Erasmus's twin daughters, Nikki and Carli. Under the post, Rachel's newfound radiance was not missed by her followers. @jessgalloway: 'Gotta love a post-divorce glow up girl❤️' @lesego_thlabi: 'Personally, I'm celebrating the launch of glam Rach! 🔥' @yolande_coetzee: 'You looked fabulous. Love the new hair!' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachel Kolisi (@rachelkolisi) While her divorce from Siya Kolisi likely means she'll no longer be attending Springboks games, Rachel Kolisi still finds time to celebrate her friendship with fellow rugby WAGS. The partners of players like Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Cheslin Kolbe, Franco Mostert, and many, many more often leave encouraging comments for the former first lady of the Boks. Springbok WAGS have rallied around Rachel Kolisi after her via Instagram: @rachelkolisi Rachel Kolisi's new look comes a week after she posted images of her new car, a brand-new SUV courtesy of Jetour. The brand deal was made possible through Livingstone Sports Management, the same company her brother, sports agent Joel Smith, works for. Rachel previously had an endorsement deal with Mercedes-Benz, which sponsored luxury cars for both her and her former husband, Siya Kolisi. However, the deal likely ended shortly before Rachel announced her 'humbling' decision to drive a Toyota Yaris in an Instagram post she swiftly deleted. Rachel Kolisi has shared a look at her new car. This comes a month after revealing that she drives a Toyota via Instagram: @rachelkolisi Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
