As South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, young people are being encouraged to actively participate in democracy and play a meaningful role in shaping the country's future.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, said the courage and determination shown by the youth of 1976 continues to inspire future generations.
Speaking at the Mpumalanga Provincial Youth Parliament, Mhlauli reminded young people that those who participated in the June 16 uprising were often only slightly older than today's youth.
“Many of those young people were not much older than the participants gathered in this hall today. They did not possess wealth, political office or institutional power,” Mhlauli said.
She noted that the youth of 1976 understood the power of collective action and demonstrated that young people can influence the course of history when they organise, participate and stand against injustice.
Legacy Of The 1976 Youth Generation
Mhlauli said the significance of the 1976 youth movement extends beyond the protests themselves.
“The true legacy of the youth of 1976 lies not only in what they protested against, but in what they stood for,” Mhlauli said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the youth of 1976 fought for dignity, equality, access to education and greater opportunities. Most importantly, they believed young people should have a voice in determining the future of South Africa.
She emphasised that while the challenges facing young people today may be different, their responsibility remains equally important.
“The youth of 1976 fought for freedom.
“The youth of 2026 must use that freedom to build prosperous communities, strengthen democratic institutions, hold leaders accountable and create opportunities for future generations.
“They fought to secure a democratic South Africa. We must now ensure that our democracy delivers on its promise for a better life for all,” the Deputy Minister said.
Youth Parliament Promotes Active Participation
Mhlauli highlighted the importance of the Youth Parliament as a platform for civic engagement and democratic participation.
“A healthy democracy requires continuous engagement between citizens and the institutions that serve them. It requires citizens who ask questions. It requires leaders who provide answers. It requires transparency, accountability and active participation.
“The concept behind this Youth Parliament recognises that young people continue to face serious challenges, including unemployment, poverty, economic exclusion, unequal access to opportunities and social vulnerability,” she said.
She stressed that young people should not be viewed only as beneficiaries of government programmes but as active contributors to development and governance.
“They are partners in development. They are stakeholders in governance. They are active participants in shaping public policy and monitoring implementation.
“For many years, Youth Parliament has provided an important platform through which young people have influenced public discourse and contributed to policy development,” Mhlauli said.
Youth Voices Continue To Influence Policy
The Deputy Minister pointed to several initiatives that have emerged through youth activism and participation, including the establishment of the National Youth Development Agency, provincial and municipal youth directorates, and other programmes aimed at creating opportunities for young South Africans.
“We have seen the establishment of institutions dedicated to youth development, including the National Youth Development Agency, Youth Directorates at Provincial and Municipal level, and other interventions aimed at expanding opportunities for young people.
“These achievements remind us that youth voices matter and that organised youth participation can influence the direction of public policy,” she said.
Young People Urged To Register And Vote
With local government elections on the horizon, Mhlauli urged young South Africans to ensure they are registered to vote and that their details appear correctly on the voters' roll.
“Verify your details. Make use of the online platforms that have been created to make registration easier and more accessible.
“However, registration alone is not enough. Registration is only the first step. Once you have registered, you must also vote. A democracy cannot be strengthened by people who are registered but absent on Election Day.
“The true power of citizenship lies not only in having the right to vote, but in exercising that right,” Mhlauli said.
Addressing Youth Frustration With Democracy
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that many young people are frustrated by ongoing challenges such as unemployment, inequality, poor service delivery and limited economic opportunities.
“Many feel frustrated by the pace of change in their communities. Others question whether their vote has any real impact on the challenges they face every day.
“Some have become disillusioned by instances of poor service delivery, unemployment, inequality and unfulfilled promises. These feelings are real and they should not be dismissed. If we are serious about strengthening our democracy, we must acknowledge these frustrations honestly and engage with them directly,” she said.
However, she cautioned against disengagement from democratic processes, warning that decisions affecting communities continue to be made regardless of voter participation.
“The truth is that democracy does not stop functioning when citizens choose not to participate. Decisions continue to be made. Budgets continue to be approved. Development priorities continue to be determined.
“Councillors continue to be elected. Municipal projects continue to move forward. The only difference is that those decisions are made without the input of the very people who are most affected by them,” the Deputy Minister said.
Government Marks 50 Years Since The Soweto Uprising
Government recently launched a national programme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising.
The year-long programme will honour the sacrifices made by students during the 1976 uprising, a defining moment in South Africa's liberation struggle, while encouraging a new generation of young people to become active participants in building the country's future.
