On June 16, young people from the ACTIVATE! Change Drivers Network will be celebrating the day by hosting and participating in a host of activities across South Africa. The events encourage active citizenship among young people in urban, peri-urban and rural spaces. Activators are committed to changing the status quo and contributing towards the positive transformation of South Africa.The 1976 uprising was by far one of the most distinct mass demonstrations by young people in South Africa for it brought about positive change in the face of the country’s education system. Fast forward to over 40 years later the young people of the country in all their different corners are still on the plight for decent, equal, fair and accessible education for all.

Over the course of the year, the young people of the ACTIVATE! Change Drivers Network have led various dialogues, community based engagements and projects of public benefit to speak about the pertinent issues that plague the youth of South Africa. Activators are #CommittedToChange by being mobile vehicles of change that stop at nothing to see transformation realised. “We are not yet uhuru that is why we cannot sit still,” explained Activator Lerato Morulane currently at the AIDS Conference in KZN with 35 other Activators.Their daily contribution to this transformation varies from politics, food and nutrition, community development, education, human rights (gender-based rights and LGBTIAQ), crime prevention, the arts, sports and recreation, entrepreneurship and making local government work. “I have invited my ward councilor and the BEC Youth League to be part of the sport tournament in our community so that they can see that young people are not lazy but are making things happen,” sited Activator Amanda Dumisa from the community of Nyosana A/A in Lusikisiki- Eastern Cape.

“Keeping a strong body and mind is very important for young people, physical activities and eating healthily should be encouraged everyday among the youth,” says Melusi Mhlaba in Kwa-Zulu Natal who will be hosting a health awareness day for young people in Hammarsdale Kwa-Zulu Natal.  Equality is a commodity that has been dubbed to be among the most hard to attain. It is for this reason that young Activators are gathering in different corners to fight not only against pass laws but against the injustices faced by South African youth on the daily.

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About ACTIVATE! :

ACTIVATE!is a network of young leaders equipped to drive change for the public good across South Africa. Connecting youth who have the skills, sense of self and spark to address tough challenges and initiate innovative and creative solutions that can reshape our society.