Commemorating Courage: The 1976 Uprising
On this Youth Day, we honour the brave young South Africans who, in 1976, stood up against the brutal apartheid regime. They rose with courage, conviction, and collective determination, igniting a movement that not only challenged an unjust system but redefined the role of youth in shaping national destiny.
Their resistance—sparked by the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools—was not merely about education. It was a declaration of dignity, autonomy, and the right to determine their own futures. Thousands of students took to the streets of Soweto on 16 June 1976, and their actions sparked national and international attention that intensified the anti-apartheid struggle.
The legacy of the 1976 youth uprising is more than historical—it is profoundly inspirational. It reminds us that young people are not just beneficiaries of change; they are architects of transformation.
For more: https://voiceafricadaily.com/
The Power of Youth: Africa’s Demographic Dividend
Nearly five decades later, young people continue to be at the forefront of societal change across Africa. With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25 (UNFPA), the continent stands at a demographic crossroads. This youthful population offers immense potential for innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Youth are not a problem to be solved—they are a strength to be mobilised.
However, realising this demographic dividend requires intentional policies and investments that ensure young people have access to education, employment, healthcare, and political representation.
Persistent Challenges Facing Youth in Africa
Despite their promise, Africa’s youth face systemic challenges that hinder their full participation in shaping their societies:
- Youth unemployment rates remain critically high across the continent (ILO Data), leading to frustration, disillusionment, and in some cases, vulnerability to recruitment by violent or extremist groups.
- Political exclusion leaves many young people feeling disengaged from formal governance structures, even as they demonstrate high levels of civic energy through protest, activism, and community leadership.
- Climate change and environmental degradation disproportionately affect youth, particularly in rural areas where livelihoods are closely tied to natural resources.
- Gender-based violence and systemic inequality continue to impede the rights and participation of young women and LGBTQ+ youth.
The youth are not apathetic—they are often unheard.
The Need for Meaningful Youth Inclusion
For peace and justice initiatives to be effective, they must include young people not just as participants, but as leaders and partners. Excluding youth from decision-making processes not only diminishes their potential but also undermines the legitimacy and sustainability of development and governance efforts.
“Nothing about us, without us,” is not just a slogan—it’s a principle of inclusive governance and democratic integrity.
Peacebuilding and civic engagement efforts that fail to reflect youth perspectives risk irrelevance and failure.
IJR’s Commitment to Youth Leadership
At the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), we recognise the irreplaceable role of youth in shaping peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. Our commitment is grounded in a belief that the most powerful transformations come when those most affected by injustice are empowered to lead solutions.
Through our youth-centred programming, we:
- Support youth-led initiatives that address peace, reconciliation, and governance.
- Provide platforms for youth voices to influence national and continental policies.
- Foster intergenerational dialogue that bridges the experience of the past with the aspirations of the future.
We build on IJR’s longstanding work in youth peacebuilding and civic engagement across Africa, in alignment with:
- The African Youth Charter
Read more - The Continental Framework on Youth, Peace, and Security
- The UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security
Learn more
Strengthening Youth Participation in Governance
Meaningful youth participation must go beyond consultation—it must include co-creation and shared decision-making.
This includes:
- Youth quotas in parliamentary bodies.
- Budget allocations for youth-led development.
- Protection of youth civil society from political suppression.
- Access to digital spaces for expression and mobilisation.
A democratic society cannot flourish if it sidelines over half its population.
Youth, Peace, and Security: A Regional Imperative
The youth-led movements we witness across the continent are not isolated. They are part of a broader continental and global push toward youth-inclusive peacebuilding.
Through IJR’s Youth Peace and Security Labs, we work with young leaders to:
- Identify local sources of conflict.
- Design community-led reconciliation interventions.
- Advocate for youth-responsive policy reforms.
When young people are empowered to lead peacebuilding, we see the emergence of more durable and context-sensitive solutions.
“When youth feel seen, heard, and included, they shape spaces of hope, dignity, and belonging.”
Telling Our Stories: Youth Voices Matter
At IJR, we are deeply moved by the power of youth voices—not just in protest, but in storytelling, healing, and collective action. Through workshops, podcasts, digital campaigns, and public dialogues, youth are reimagining the future.
Some of the most inspiring work we’ve witnessed includes:
- Youth-led storytelling projects that reclaim community history and resist cultural erasure.
- Digital advocacy campaigns tackling gender injustice, xenophobia, and environmental degradation.
- Peer-to-peer education models that foster resilience and political literacy.
Explore examples of youth digital storytelling here:
UNESCO Youth Storytelling Initiatives
Youth and Climate Justice
Young people are also at the forefront of the climate justice movement. Across Africa, youth activists are organising for cleaner energy policies, sustainable agriculture, and ecological conservation.
IJR supports youth environmental advocacy as an integral part of our peacebuilding strategy. Climate insecurity is a driver of displacement, conflict, and inequality—addressing it is essential to long-term stability.
Learn more:
Fridays for Future Africa
Intergenerational Dialogue: Bridging Divides
As we reflect on Youth Day, we must also foster dialogue across generations. We need spaces where elders can share wisdom, and young people can share vision—where memory and imagination work together to build just futures.
Through our intergenerational forums, we aim to:
- Break cycles of mistrust between youth and state actors.
- Amplify solidarity across age groups.
- Co-create knowledge systems rooted in justice, reconciliation, and Ubuntu.
A Call to Action: Reimagining Our Future with Youth at the Centre
On this Youth Day, we reaffirm a truth that we witness daily: Young people are not the future—they are the present. They are teachers, activists, entrepreneurs, peacebuilders, and artists. They are reimagining African societies from the ground up.
If we are to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, we must centre youth in every conversation, every policy, and every budget line.
“There is no peace without justice, and no justice without youth.”
Conclusion: Towards a Youth-Led, Inclusive Future
As we commemorate Youth Day 2025, we recommit ourselves to walking alongside young people—not as passive recipients of policy, but as co-creators of transformation.
At IJR, we believe a better future is not possible without youth leadership. Through partnerships, mentorship, and solidarity, we will continue to create platforms where youth voices lead the way toward reconciliation, social cohesion, and peace.
Let this Youth Day be a reminder and a rallying call.
We honour the legacy of 1976. We celebrate the vision of 2025.
Happy Youth Day!
By Prof. Cheryl Hendricks
Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
#IJRTurns25 #YouthDay2025
External Links:
https://www.unfpa.org/data/world-population-dashboard
https://au.int/en/treaties/african-youth-charter
https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/youth-employment/lang–en/index.htm
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/jobsanddevelopment/brief/youth-employment
The post by: https://www.ijr.org.za
