On the 9th of September 2023, international multi award-winning youth activist Koketso Marishane joined the luminous and illustrious list of young trailblazers from across the country to celebrate their achievements at the first edition of the Forty Under 40 Young South Africans.

Forty Under 40 Young Africans program is meant to identify, honour and celebrate the continents’ most influential and accomplished young leaders under the age of forty from a wide range of industries, committed to business growth, professional excellence, and community service, and have risen up the ranks of their companies or industries at a young age.

“I wish to convey my congratulatory remarks to all the finalists in here tonight, and equally so, emphasise that these awards are meant to acknowledge, recognise and celebrate excellent young people in South Africa, hence I am telling you now, that you are all winners tonight. Whether you win the overall prize or not, by virtue of being a finalist, you should be proud of yourselves because you made it to the finalist in a robust and tough unique competition like no other,” remarked Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South African Minister of Women, Youth and People living with Disabilities.

Finalists together with their partners were mesmerized by the beautiful African artistic renditions and cuisine whilst awaiting their big moments.

In the spirit of ‘Botho’ and in accordance with the policy of ‘Lift As We Rise: Leave No One Behind’ complementing the National Development Plan 2030 Vision of South Africa, Youth Ambassador Koketso Marishane carried young people from his community to celebrate with him. These are, people involved in the daily operations of building towards a healthy ecosystem in the Marishane Communities through the Marishane Youth Hub.

South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile graced the event together with his wife and said a few words. “Distinguished young people, today we’re proud, honoured, and humbled to address you at this inaugural event, under the theme: The African Century- Unlocking the Demographic Divided Through Investments. The event was also graced also by the North Korea Ambassador to South Africa, Samsung CEO in South Africa- Sung Yoon, and the High Commissioner to South Africa from Kenya- Catherine Muigai Mwangi.

‘I wish to convey my heartily thanks to the public, private, and public-private institutions, organizations, and people from near and far who sacrificed their nothingness to bring me this far. Indeed, it’s always an honour and privilege to be entrusted with a public mandate, and being a finalist (second winner) for Community Development in South Africa is humbling, mindful of the pool of talent in the sector. The competition wasn’t just about me, more, about the people and communities we’ve been entrusted with the most sensitive responsibility which is to serve, as we continue with the cause of development by serving humanity, thank you,” concluded Koketso Marishane.


About Koketso Marishane:

Koketso Marishane is an acclaimed international trailblazer (writer, speaker, facilitator and moderator) serving as a community worker and has in numerous settings contributed to local and international platforms (TV, Radio and print) both in his professional and personal capacity.