Young Mandelas show what the best of SA can be
Mlungisi Jack Msibi. Thabo Mngomezulu. Juandré Klopper. Ryan Young. Yeshav Sewlal. Yolisa Singaphi. Savanna Sibutha. Remember these names.
They are our News24 Star Mandelas of 2025 – young people who have not allowed their age to limit and define their dreams.
Mandela Day is one of my favourite celebrations of the year. For 24 hours, the country pauses to celebrate the legacy and lessons of the most remarkable human being to have walked these shores.
Why do we celebrate the Young Mandelas of South Africa?
Because between the doom and gloom of an ordinary day in South Africa, people like the ones I mentioned above refuse to give up on their nation.
Young Mandelas 2025 | Meet 30 shining SA leaders of the future, and our 6 Star Mandelas
They have used their time, skills and passion to help others, improve the planet, feed, teach, coach and empower. Of course, there are thousands, no, millions of others like them. The good people of South Africa who keep our country together.
We cannot celebrate everyone by their names, but today we shine a light on these special youngsters who inspire us and show the way.
This country's future will not be determined by today's politicians, but by people like Yolisa, Juandré and Mlungisi.
Let's support them and their initiatives where we can and celebrate the good people of our nation who refuse to give up today.
Two quotes from Madiba will guide my Mandela Day this year.
'Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.' There is a lot to resent in South Africa: corruption, poverty, unemployment, crime, poor service delivery and crumbling infrastructure, to name but a few.
If we allow these issues to make us bitter and twisted, we will not be able to see the light. Let go of the resentment and do something tangible to help yourself and others.
Get involved in your street committee, community policing forum or school governing body. Join an NGO or donate to a cause close to your heart.
'A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.'
Here, Madiba reminds us how to change the world by having a 'fundamental concern' for others. This requires us to look beyond our own needs and challenges and reach out to others we can help.
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