This year, South Africa commemorates Youth Day under the theme: “Actively embracing the socioeconomic gains of our democracy.” As we reflect on the strides made over the past three decades, we are reminded of the significance of education and the ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by our youth.

Indeed, this year, on a continental level, the African Union theme for 2024, “Educate an African fit for the 21^st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa,” underscores a strategic moment for in-depth discussions on enhancing access to quality education across Africa. This initiative advocates for increased investments and the formulation of effective policies, which is particularly crucial as Africa faces significant global challenges, including the lowest educational attainment levels.

At the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, we recognise the importance of sharing our journey as a country, with youth from the rest of the world who seek to engage with our vision and glean lessons from our experiences in transitional justice. To this end, we frequently host students from all around the world for educational dialogues on themes that include dignity, belonging, identity, and peace. Our young visitors often departed with a deeper understanding that it is the collective efforts of our nation (with youth at the centre), that continue to drive reconciliation, nation-building, and the nurturing of our nascent democracy.

Thirty years of democracy in South Africa have seen us hold peaceful elections and witness the transformative power of our collective voice. This election year, as our nation stands on the brink of a new era, the imperative is clear: the voices of South Africa’s youth must be not only heard but heeded. It’s time for young people to rise up, to harness the power of connectivity and solidarity in the fight against multiple injustices. Even those who doubt the promise of democracy must recognise the potential of collective and coordinated action to effect meaningful change.

Let this Youth Day be a testament to our commitment to building a society where the dreams and aspirations of our young people are not just acknowledged but actively pursued, especially through education that is relevant in the 21^st century.

Happy Youth Day, South Africa.

Prof Cheryl Hendricks