The Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at the University in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, recently hosted a youth colloquium aimed at empowering young people, fostering innovative solutions, and promoting participation in shaping South Africa’s social, economic, and political landscape.
The event brought together students, academics, and school learners under the themes of mental health and well-being, youth employment and entrepreneurship strategies and youth leadership and advocacy for change.
From left, Olwethu Deliwe, Lungsi Ntlokwana and Ulleta Marais
Ntlokwana, a psychologist, cautioned, however, that students' potential is often challenged by anxiety and depression. She pointed to “global and local research showing that one in five young people struggle with mental health.” Relationship issues often make these challenges worse.
Ulleta Marais, Gender-Based-Violence(GBV) Counsellor and Advocacy Coordinator at the University’s Transformation Office, linked mental health struggles to gender-based violence.
“Trauma from GBV extends far beyond the physical and can leave lasting psychological scars,” she said, survivors often experience guilt, shame and anxiety that compound academic pressures.
She cautioned against ignoring these issues: “Avoidance is not the best solution. It can be useful temporarily, but in the long run, it can be harmful.”
Marais also raised concerns that many students are unaware of support systems, such as counselling services or the campus clinic. She emphasised that GBV affects entire communities and requires collaboration across faculties and services. Solutions must be shaped by students' lived experiences rather than imposed from above.
Turning to economic empowerment, Yandisa Jubase from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), urged students to rethink traditional measures of success.
“A degree does not necessarily give you a guarantee that you will then be able to be successful or get a job … we need to redefine what we call success and be able to harness an interest of entrepreneurship amongst young people, “she said.
Jubase explained how the NYDA provides training in business management to ensure sustainability, noting that funding without skills development often leads to failure. The agency offers grants ranging from R10 000 to R250 000 but requires compliance and accountability.
She stressed that young people must view themselves as “creators of employment strategies” rather than only job seekers.
Urging students to seek opportunities beyond academics,
“Refuse to be the type of young person that just goes to class, back to Res, and that’s it. Yes, academics are important, but part of being young is being curious. If you close yourself off, then you close yourself off from opportunities of learning and growing.”
Phumelela Memani from Sifungosethu NPO
The final theme focused on leadership and advocacy, with speakers highlighting that leadership is not confined to formal titles but evident in daily acts of responsibility and innovation.
Participants were encouraged to use their voices to influence policy, address inequality, and strengthen democracy.
Discussions also centred on collaboration between universities, government, and civil society to provide platforms where youth contributions are taken seriously and translated into action.
Through these discussions, the colloquium highlighted the need to address mental health, tackle GBV, support entrepreneurship, and promote leadership rooted in lived experience.
It affirmed that South Africa’s youth are not only tomorrow’s leaders but also active participants shaping today’s society across social, economic, and political spheres.