Local teen activist and community youth leader Brianna Mupaya (17) gave a talk at the Curro Helderwyk school in Helderwyk Estates on February 5 to learners in grades four and five.

The 17-year-old is known for her children’s book, Brakpan Broom, clean-up activities and most recently, a foundation that targets GBVF and supports victims.

The foundation and supporters organised a G20 Women’s shutdown march in Brakpan, held on November 21, 2025 to demand an end to femicide and gender-based violence in South Africa.

Now she is inspiring the youth directly, giving a talk about how anyone can make a difference, no matter their age or background, and how important the town of Brakpan is, and the efforts required to restore it.

“The history teacher at Curro invited me to speak to the learners. They’re doing a mini-project where they have to interview someone who has lived in Brakpan.

“So the teacher invited me to speak to them about myself, why I love Brakpan, why I care so much about Brakpan, and what my inspirations are and what drives me to keep doing community work.

“The learners in the hall just asked me a few questions about myself, so I just went there to motivate them and tell them how they can become anything at a young age, and they don’t have to wait until they are grown up to make a difference,” Brianna said.

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