Pretoria residents share their hopes for the youth
As South Africa prepares to commemorate Youth Day, Pretoria residents reflect on the future they hope to see for the country’s young people and share words of encouragement for the next generation.
The legacy of June 16, 1976, serves as a reminder of the role young people have played in shaping South Africa’s history.
Nearly five decades later, the country’s youth still hold the power to influence its future through education, self-belief, participation and unity.
For many respondents, education remains central to their hopes for young people.
Amos Masemola (66) hopes that young people focus on building a better future for themselves through learning.
“Young people should go to school and get a better future, so that they can get jobs, work, and also be able to provide for those they will be responsible for in the future,” he says.
Masemola also urges young people to avoid destructive habits.
“My advice to the youth is that they should leave all bad things that they are doing and focus on their studies. They should leave alcohol and the culture of having a ‘blesser’, because it won’t get them anywhere,” he says.
Lefa Makgolane (26) echoes the importance of education and perseverance.
“My hope for the youth is that they remain strong and persevere through education, because education is important. Don’t give up. Once you do, we’ll all end up the same, just hustling. It’s better that we prioritise education and come up with ideas that will work for us in the future,” says Makgolane.
For 21-year-old Chumani Marambana, access to education is a privilege that should not be taken for granted.
“I hope that we as the youth stop taking advantage of the opportunity we have to access education. Yes, I believe our education system can be better. We should stop taking advantage because in the past, many people fought for us to have a place at the table in education, and we should recognise that and appreciate it,” shares Marambana.
Marambana also reminds young people not to tie their self-worth to academic results.
“Your marks do not define you. A low mark is not the end of the world,” she says.
Other residents highlight the importance of character, self-confidence and working together.
“My hope for the youth is to be good, do good and be like the people who came before us. I hope you can change the world and make it a better place for all of us,” says Anelda Venter (28).
Elwina Daniels (54) says young people can achieve more when they recognise both their strengths and weaknesses.
“Learn how to work together. Believe in yourself and know that each person has a weakness and a strength. If we acknowledge those things, we can go further,” says Daniels.
She encourages the youth to build confidence from within and surround themselves with positive influences.
“Don’t look for validation outside; start with yourself. As I usually say, you have to love yourself first before you can love somebody else. That’s where it starts. Surround yourself with people who can help and motivate you to better yourself, instead of people who are going to break you down,” she says.
Participation in society also emerged as a recurring theme.
Temogo Leshilo (27) encourages young people to become active citizens by exercising their democratic rights.
“The youth of South Africa must register to vote. They must take part in local government elections this year,” says Leshilo.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Olayinka Manda says young people should recognise the influence they collectively hold.
“What I hope for the youth of South Africa is that we use the power that we have to our advantage. There’s so much power in numbers and in masses,” she says.
Manda also encourages patience and self-discovery.
“It takes time to know yourself, and it’s important to be patient with yourself as you learn. Be gracious to yourself as you grow and change and figure out who you want to be.”
While their perspectives differ, residents share a common belief: South Africa’s youth have the potential to shape a better future if they embrace opportunities, believe in themselves and work towards positive change.
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