On the 17th June 2025, Marishane Youth Hub powered by Activate!
Change Drivers hosted a successful youth seminar for the youth in the community to re-ignite the sparks for a community dialogue ahead of the national dialogue by The Presidency.
The seminar, premised on the belief that ‘where there’s a will, there’s way’, brought various stakeholders such as the Marishane Royal House represented by Masenye Masemola, Moroangoato Traditional Council represented by Mr. John K. Masemolaand the following community structures: Marishane Council of Churches, Marishane Community Policing Forum, Marishane Taxi Association(Mmetla Shapo La Tlala), Broadway Legacy Foundation, Department of Health- Marishane Clinic, University of Limpopo, Co-Lab, NEMISA and Marishane Teachers’ Club among others who sent their proxies for a conversation on youth development.
The dialogue, based on ‘building a healthy eco-system to support the future’, saw both young and old people from in and outside the community finding platform for expression as the program unfolded directed by Mr. Mahlare Bapela.
“Marishane Youth Hub uses the community office for its’ excursions and has been operating since pre-Covid-19 times. The hunger for development pushes us to meet in this place to explore ways of developing ourselves as young people and the community in general” remarked the youth leading voice, Ms. Lekgala Puoane.
“It’s inspiring to see young people organising themselves to speak in onevoice. It’s equally encouraging to see the very same young people being self-organised, being supported by community elders (parents) to achieve their goals. Ours is to say, government is by the people for the people, and we’re here to support the dialogues announced by The State President Ramaphosa” remarked Mr. Mirach Lentsoane – Department of Health and Social Development.
“The state of youth affairs in South Africa is concerning. Most young people are in the NEET: Not in Education, Employment nor Employment.This includes the 46.1% among young people aged 15-34 in Q1 2025, most of whom are us. Skills mismatch between education and market needs continue to be a huge challenge, inequities in resources- rural youth and townships are left behind and the digital divide limits access to learning and job applications. This is the state of youth affairs in South Africa and people in Marishane through the Marishane Youth Hub havedone and must continue doing something about it. It cannot be business as usual”, remarked Ms. Lebohang Zimba in her keynote address.
Marishane is a community of strong social connections, with access to basic needs such as educational facilities through the many primary and secondary schools, safety and security through the Marishane Police Station, inclusive and participatory governance through the municipal structures, physical and mental health support through the Marishane Clinic, cultural and spiritual vitality through the Marishane Council of Churches.
“We were welcomed into the community by the Marishane Royal House, and we met with the community leadership, Kgoshi Marishane. We have been immersed in the rich history of the community and we wish to emphasise this point: This is exactly what Activate! Change Drivers stands for. We need young people to be educated to rise and be their own heroes and heroines. The leadership bar in this community has already been set so high by your forebears. We are here to expose ourselves to you as young people, have those difficult conversations with you and leave you with one message: Stand-Up and be counted” remarked Ms. Zimba.
“Activate! Change Drivers has proven itself to be a young people centred organisation making tangible marks in the community. A few years ago, the CEO with her team visited the community and today we’re seeing new vibrant faces. We’re indeed, grateful for the material and immaterial contributions the organisation makes in changing the lives of people and wish them well as they return to their nationwide offices” concluded Mr. Masenye Harry Masemola on behalf of the Marishane Royal House.
(All facts stated, events described, & referred/mentions of people have been provided by the concerned personnel from the organisation)
