Collen Mashawana Foundation marks Youth Day by rebuilding lives

As South Africa marked Youth Day on 16 June and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the historic Soweto Uprising, the Collen Mashawana Foundation honoured the legacy of the youth of 1976 through both community action and a renewed call for young people to become agents of change.

In a practical demonstration of its commitment to community upliftment, the Foundation spent the day at 1455 Bramfisher Extension 4, assisting with the reconstruction of the home of 62-year-old Gogo Hazel Naicker.

Naicker, who is partially blind and relies solely on a social grant for income, approached the Foundation for assistance after her home became dilapidated and unsafe for habitation. The Foundation's team spent the day painting the house while providing support and comfort to the elderly resident as she awaits the completion of her new home in the coming days.

The organisation said Youth Day should not only be about remembering the sacrifices made by young people who fought for freedom five decades ago, but also about empowering today's youth to actively participate in addressing the challenges facing communities across the country.

"Together, we can build safer homes, restore dignity, and create a brighter future for those in need," the Foundation said.

The community project formed part of the Foundation's broader Youth Day message, which paid tribute to the brave young people of 1976 whose courage, determination and sacrifice helped shape South Africa's democracy.

According to the Foundation, the youth of 1976 understood that meaningful change requires courage, unity and action. Their resistance against injustice demonstrated the powerful role young people can play in transforming society.

While acknowledging the political freedoms achieved since the dawn of democracy, the Foundation noted that many young South Africans continue to face significant challenges, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime, substance abuse, mental health struggles and limited economic opportunities.

The organisation warned that these challenges threaten the future of communities and require a new generation of leaders and changemakers to step forward.

As the country reflects on the legacy of the Soweto Uprising, the Foundation has called on young people across South Africa to embrace education, entrepreneurship, innovation, community service and active citizenship. It said the same spirit that inspired the youth of 1976 to fight for a better future must now inspire today's generation to tackle the nation's social and economic challenges.

"The future of South Africa will not be built by government alone," the Foundation said. "It will be built by young people who choose to lead with purpose, create opportunities for others, uplift their communities and become part of the solution."

The Foundation further reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people through programmes focused on education, skills development, entrepreneurship, housing and community upliftment.

Concluding its Youth Day message, the organisation urged South Africans to honour the sacrifices of 1976 not only through remembrance, but through meaningful action that creates opportunities for future generations.

"The struggle of 1976 was for freedom. The responsibility of 2026 is to use that freedom to build a better South Africa for all," the Foundation said.