The Youth of South Africa Beyond Nelson Mandela Month: Making a Positive Impact in Their Communities Every year, South Africans commemorate Nelson Mandela Month in July by dedicating time to community service and acts of kindness in honour of the life and legacy of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Young people constitute a significant portion of South Africa's population and represent the country's greatest asset for sustainable development and social transformation. Despite facing numerous challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime, substance abuse, gender-based violence, inequality, and limited access to quality education, many young South Africans continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and determination in improving their communities. Their energy, innovation, and passion position them as powerful agents of positive change.

It has been 17 years since Mandela Day was launched, inspiring people to dedicate 67 minutes to serving others. But what happens beyond Mandela Day? In this special Mandela Month episode of Expressions, we meet inspiring young South Africans who are making a difference in their communities every day—not for recognition, but because they believe in creating positive change. To celebrate Mandela Month by highlighting young South Africans who are making a meaningful difference in their communities through acts of service and leadership. It aims to inspire viewers to embrace the values of ubuntu, active citizenship and community involvement beyond Mandela Day. The episode also explores how the next generation is carrying Nelson Mandela's legacy forward by creating positive change in modern-day South Africa.

In spite of structural failures, young people should not be discouraged to participate so that they can choose right candidates who are fit and proper to represent them, they must take part in some leadership roles as well. Expressions asks whether young people can lead, serve, and make a meaningful difference in their communities as ward councillors.

As Youth Month comes to a close, South Africans are reminded of the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of the young people who led the historic Soweto Uprising. Youth Month, commemorated annually in June, honours the legacy of those who fought against apartheid and highlights the ongoing role of young people in shaping the nation's future. As Youth Month concludes, the call remains for all sectors of society to invest in young people's potential, create meaningful opportunities, and support youth-led innovation. The month serves not only as a remembrance of the past but also as a commitment to building a more inclusive and prosperous future driven by the energy, creativity, and leadership of South Africa's youth.

SABC visits Mantserre youth expo, For many young South Africans — particularly those from disadvantaged and under-resourced communities — access to career guidance, education pathways and employment information remains limited. Career expos continue to play an important role in bridging this gap by exposing young people to opportunities they may otherwise never encounter. This episode explores whether youth career expos are making a meaningful impact and how they contribute to empowering young people to make informed decisions about their futures. The episode will be insert-driven and will profile three major youth career expos that took place during Youth Month commemorations around 16 June.

SABC visits Mantserre youth expo, For many young South Africans — particularly those from disadvantaged and under-resourced communities — access to career guidance, education pathways and employment information remains limited. Career expos continue to play an important role in bridging this gap by exposing young people to opportunities they may otherwise never encounter. This episode explores whether youth career expos are making a meaningful impact and how they contribute to empowering young people to make informed decisions about their futures. The episode will be insert-driven and will profile three major youth career expos that took place during Youth Month commemorations around 16 June.

The Constitution of South Africa plays a major role in protecting and empowering young people. When people speak about “youth and the Constitution,” they are usually referring to how the Constitution protects the rights, opportunities, dignity, and participation of young people in society. The Constitution is the highest law in South Africa. It was adopted in 1996 after apartheid ended, and all laws and government actions must follow it.

Stats SA said the situation looks even worse when including people who have given up looking for work, young people continue to bear the brunt of unemployment. Young people and Black women remain especially vulnerable to unemployment in South Africa.

South Africa faces a persistent and high rate of youth unemployment, a socio-economic challenge that undermines national development and social stability. According to recent statistics, nearly one-third of young South Africans are unemployed, with limited access to formal employment opportunities due to structural inequalities, a mismatch between skills and labour market demands, and an economy that struggles to absorb the growing labour force. In this context, youth entrepreneurship emerges as a viable solution to address unemployment while fostering economic growth and innovation. Young entrepreneurs offer a powerful pathway forward. By creating businesses, driving innovation, and generating employment, they can help transform the economy from within. Youth and young entrepreneurs can play a pivotal role in addressing South Africa’s high youth unemployment.

Five women arrested at OR Tambo while allegedly smuggling drugs worth more than R5 million to China. Two South Africans arrested with cocaine worth R7.5 million after arriving from Brazil. South Africa continues to face a growing drug trafficking crisis, with many young people being recruited as drug mules due to unemployment, poverty and desperation. Criminal syndicates often target vulnerable youth with promises of “easy money,” luxury lifestyles and paid international travel, without fully revealing the devastating consequences that come with drug trafficking.

On this week’s episode of Expressions, we are be putting a spotlight on careers that are at risk of being phased out by AI Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming industries across the world, and South Africa is no exception. AI is reshaping how people work, live, and earn a living. However, this technological advancement raises critical questions: Will AI lead to widespread job losses? Is it replacing human capabilities? And most importantly, is South Africa ready to embrace this digital revolution? On this episode of Expressions, we explore how AI is affecting careers, the potential for job displacement, and whether it can also be a tool for job creation in South Africa.

Unemployed Graduate is a growing concern South Africa ,while degrees still offer better prospects than lower education levels, Expressions ask, Is the degree still worth it in South Africa?

Rape in South Africa is a pervasive and deeply entrenched societal problem, rooted in historical, cultural, and structural inequalities. The country consistently reports one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world, and while the law criminalizes rape, enforcement is often inadequate, leaving many survivors without justice. Compounding this crisis is the prevalence of rape culture within educational institutions, particularly universities, where societal norms, peer pressure, and institutional shortcomings contribute to the normalization and perpetuation of sexual violence. While South Africa has progressive laws against sexual violence, underreporting, insufficient investigations, victim-blaming, and slow judicial processes undermine their effectiveness. Statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) reveal alarming trends: a rape occurs every few minutes, with many cases unreported due to fear, stigma, or distrust in the justice system. The author of “I was raped but I came out free” Zisanda Nxokweni has written a book about her rape ordeal. She will share in detail about her different times she was raped by different men.

What is the significant of the day? Sharpeville is a township in Gauteng, South Africa, located near Vereeniging, known primarily as the site of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre. On March 21, 1960, police opened fire on a crowd protesting against pass laws, killing 69 people. It is now a symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle, commemorated annually on Human Rights Day.

South Africa is facing a literacy crisis, with 15% of Grade 3 learners unable to read for meaning at the required level. This raises urgent questions about the foundations of the country’s education system and the long-term social and economic impact of early learning gaps. Reading proficiency by Grade 3 is a critical milestone, it marks the shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” When children fall behind at this stage, the consequences often follow them throughout their schooling and beyond. Proficiency varies sharply between languages and provinces: Some African language learners (e.g., Sepedi, Xitsonga) show very low reading outcomes, with very high percentages unable to read at all. Through this discussion, we examine the root causes of early literacy challenges, the role of teachers, parents, and policymakers, and what practical solutions can turn the tide.

Gambling has become increasingly accessible, especially through mobile devices. Young people spend significant time on their phones and are constantly exposed to online advertisements encouraging them to “click and win.” As a result, many young individuals find themselves trapped in cycles of debt due to gambling. In this episode of Expressions, we will hear firsthand accounts from individuals affected by gambling addiction — people who have lost jobs, vehicles, and relationships as a result of their gambling addiction .