Speaks to Thulile Khanyile, the second in our series of talented young South Africans
wanted to be like them, I was inspired to be greater.
What does being a young South African mean to you?
I see a country that achieved a lot, but which still faces major challenges. As a young South African I have benefited a great deal from these achievements.
Today, there are many more opportunities for young people, especially through the opening of fields such as science to all citizens.
Being a young South African means that the challenges are mine to fix. The benefits I have experienced have not been received by the majority of young people, and this needs to change.
The future of the country is in my hands and I must fully equip myself. Just as sacrifices were made for the freedom I [have] today, I must make sacrifices to contribute to the economic freedom of the youth of the future South Africa.
What are your favourite and least favourite things about South Africa?
The diversity of cultures is among my favourites. My least favourite thing is the low level of literacy and the economic divide among our citizenship. What role do youth play now? The youth of South Africa stand for a wide array of societal issues, ranging from education to matters of inequality among races, genders, economic classes, and so on. I would say the youth need to fight — as they have shown they can — for the future of the country through understanding that economic freedom for all requires strategic planning and great skill.
Without the planning and the skill, as the youth of today we will be remembered for protests and destruction of property. Alongside protests and demonstrations, serious dialogue must take place among the youth as to how we will get the skills and expertise to build a South Africa that our grandchildren can be proud of.
Describe South African youth today in five words.
Ambitious, radical, passionate, outspoken, desperate.
How do you feel about your future in South Africa?
I am going to have a great future. The opportunities are there for me now more than ever before and I’m ready to take them.
Do you feel like a role model to others of similar age? What positive message would you like to impart to them?
Many of my peers are my role models so I would like to believe that I too am a role model to them. My message is: “Failure and doubt are but a figment of the imagination, success and confidence are the only reality.”