16/06/2026
๐ฟ๐ฆ Youth Day reminds us of the courage shown by the young people of 1976, but it should also make us reflect on the challenges facing our youth today.
As a family mediator, I often see the impact that family conflict, separation, and absent parents have on children and teenagers. While there are many factors affecting our youth, one issue that cannot be ignored is the growing number of young people who are growing up without the guidance and involvement of a positive father figure.
Children need more than financial support. They need encouragement, boundaries, values, and someone who believes in them. When those influences are missing, many young people struggle to find direction and a sense of belonging.
This is why mentorship is so important. Every community should have programmes that connect young people with responsible adults who can guide, encourage, and support them. Sometimes one mentor can change the entire course of a young person's life.
Our schools also have a critical role to play. Education is not only about academic results. It is about preparing young people for life by teaching responsibility, respect, communication, conflict resolution, resilience, and leadership.
The future of South Africa depends on the investment we make in our youth today. Whether we are parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, mentors, employers, or community leaders, we all have a role to play.
Today, let us honour the youth of 1976 by helping to build a generation that is supported, guided, and equipped to succeed.
Happy Youth Day, South Africa. ๐ฟ๐ฆ