VUKUZENZELE: A Call To Action For South African Youth
In South Africa, June is a month of profound significance, deeply rooted in our history. The story of the youth of 1976 continues inspire me, especially as I reflect on receiving confirmation of my role as Head of Communications at the National Treasury in 2020, during the difficult days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is a journey worth sharing, as I was diligently searching for employment while pursuing my studies at Vega School. At Vega, I discovered a realm of creativity and innovation. One memorable Brand Building assignment revolved around Tshepo Jeans, where I learned about Tshepo Mahlala’s unwavering spirit of perseverance. Despite economic hardships and dropping out of university, he never gave up on his passion for fashion and transformed it into the successful luxury denim brand, Tshepo Jeans.
I often think about how we can inspire more young people to embody the determination shown by Tshepo Mahlala, Makatu Tshivula, and Akhona Diba—young entrepreneurs forging their paths. Each of their stories is unique, yet they all share the “vukuzenzele” spirit—"Get Up and Do It."
Makatu Tshivula, a psychology graduate from Pimville, faced challenges finding work but turned his situation around by starting his own business supplying candles to his community after realizing the need created by loadshedding.
Akhona Diba from Langa seized an opportunity in the market by launching her cleaning service after-events, demonstrating that gaps in the industry can become pathways to success.
In the Statistics South Africa report titled “Marginalised Group Series VII: The Social Profile of the Youth 2014 – 2024,” the Statistician-General, Mr. Risenga Maluleke, underlines the growth of the youth population from 20.4 million to 20.9 million between 2014 and 2024. He emphasizes the urgent need to address the high rate of youth unemployment and the structural challenges it poses for both young people's well-being and our nation’s economic growth.
This year's government theme for Youth Month is “Skills for the Changing World: Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.”
As Andy Williams sang, “To dream the impossible dream... and to reach the unreachable star” is possible with support and determination.
As I celebrate five years in my role, I reflect on a message I received after serving as the Programme Director for a webinar outreach program aimed at engaging students in financial inclusion within the G20 context: “Thank you, Cleo, for pushing the team to achieve these results.”
Ultimately, we must continue to instill hope in our young people, motivating them to reach for the stars in the spirit of “Vukuzenzele” – Get Up and Do It.
No dream is too small.