03 April 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RE: ACTIVATE! Change Drivers launches campaign to inspire the country

ACTIVATE! Change Drivers (ACD) has launched the Youth Voices on COVID-19 campaign to inspire young people across the country by showcasing youth voices and shining the spotlight on the inspiring initiatives that youth in the country have undertaken during the lockdown.

Boasting a youth network of over 4000 young people – affectionately known as ‘Activators,’ the youth network of social change drivers and citizen journalists have heeded President Ramaphosa’s call to come up with solutions that will move the country forward. Activator, Relotegile Malepe, and her peers have started a campaign called “School Your Elder” in their community. Malepe and other young people have taken the pledge to read to the elderly in an attempt to decrease anxiety and panic around the pandemic. Malepe initiated this campaign from Malaysia where she currently resides because she knew that people from her village in South Africa needed someone to teach them about the seriousness of the virus. Another Activator, Monti Montsha has taken it upon himself to encourage the Municipality of Alexandra to reach out and provide aid for the homeless and the nyaope addicts who are roaming the streets of Alexandra as they are most at risk during this time.

Part of the campaign will celebrate young people who work in essential services during lockdown. These Activators leave their families so we can be safe with ours. Check out our social media pages as we honour them over the next few weeks.

Another aspect of the Youth Voices on Covid-19 campaign is the 21 Poems of Encouragement for 21 days of lockdown which is an Activator-led project that seeks to inspire and encourage the nation during lockdown. The online poetry project is headed by Activator Xolane Ngobozana and uses spoken word to make South Africans conscious of COVID-19 while offering some encouragement. You can watch ‘21 Poems of Encouragement’ HERE.

ACD has also created a resource guide around the coronavirus that has been distributed to young people in the network and is available for download on their website, www.activateleadership.co.za

Too keep informed on further initiatives by the ACTIVATE! Network please follow our social media pages.

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For more information contact:

Anele Gcwabe

Cell:  072 406 7072

Email: anele@activateleadership.co.za

About ACTIVATE!:

ACTIVATE! is a network of over 4000 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.

On social media:

Twitter: @ActivateZA

Facebook: ACTIVATE! Change Drivers

Website: www.activateleadership.co.za

Instagram: Activate_za