By Pastor Bert Pretorius, President of SACOFF (SA Community Of Faith-based Fraternals)
As I stood before a sea of energetic, passionate, and expectant young people, I could not help but reflect on how often our national conversation about youth is dominated by statistics, challenges, and crises. We hear about unemployment, crime, substance abuse, gender-based violence, mental health struggles, educational shortcomings, and a growing sense of hopelessness among many young people. These challenges are real. They cannot be ignored.
Yet what I witnessed at Youth Fest reminded me that there is another story unfolding in South Africa — one that rarely makes the headlines. A new generation is emerging.
As our nation commemorates the 50th anniversary of Youth Day on June 16, we remember the remarkable bravery and sacrifice of the youth of 1976. What began as a peaceful protest in Soweto became a defining moment in South African history. Many young people paid the ultimate price in their pursuit of freedom and justice.
Their courage reminds us that young people have never been passive observers of history. They have often been the very people who shaped it.
No age limit to conviction
One of the most important lessons from the youth of 1976 is that there is no age limit to conviction, courage, or leadership.
Many people underestimate the power of youth. Some see young people as future leaders. I believe they are the leaders of today.
The Apostle Paul wrote to a young leader named Timothy and said, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.” Those words remain as relevant today as they were 2 000 years ago.
Too many young people spend their lives waiting. Waiting until they are older. Waiting until they have more resources. Waiting until they feel qualified. Waiting until someone gives them permission.
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Yet throughout history, God has consistently used young people to accomplish extraordinary things. David defeated a giant while still a boy. Jeremiah was called to influence nations while still a youth. King Josiah was still a young man when he chose to seek God, reform a nation and restore the worship of the Lord throughout Judah. Daniel and his friends remained faithful to God in a foreign culture, kingdom and generation through their uncompromising character and wisdom. The young people of 1976 helped alter the course of South African history.
No age limit to purpose
The reality is that age does not determine influence. Purpose does. During Youth Fest, I challenged the young people with a simple yet profound question: “What are you too young for?” I answered, “God has called you; you have permission to change the world.”
One of the strongest impressions I left with after the gathering was that many young South Africans are hungry for purpose. They are looking for something bigger than themselves. They want their lives to count. They want to make a difference.
This is encouraging because nations are not transformed merely by policies and programmes. Nations are transformed when people discover purpose and take responsibility.
Carrying the burden of a nation
South Africa desperately needs a generation willing to carry the burden of the nation. A burden for stronger families. A burden for ethical leadership. A burden for safer communities. A burden for quality education. A burden for economic opportunity. A burden for justice. A burden for reconciliation.
The young people who will help shape South Africa’s future are not necessarily those with the loudest voices. They are those who are willing to take responsibility for the challenges around them.
The greatest leaders throughout history have always carried a burden for something larger than themselves. What struck me most at Youth Fest was the sense that many young people are ready to answer that call.
The obstacle of fear
Yet there remains a significant obstacle: FEAR. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of criticism. Fear of standing alone. Fear of making mistakes. Fear has stopped countless dreams, businesses, ministries,
and opportunities before they ever had a chance to begin, preventing talented individuals from pursuing opportunities, launching initiatives, starting businesses, developing leadership skills, or stepping into positions of responsibility.
But history is never changed by people who are governed by fear. It is changed by people who are governed by purpose. Progress has rarely been driven by those who waited until every uncertainty disappeared.
Champions or cowards
I shared with the young people that every generation must choose whether it will produce champions or cowards. A coward lives primarily for self-preservation. Champions live for a cause greater than themselves.
The difference is not that champions never experience fear. The difference is that they refuse to allow fear to determine their future. But rather choose courage over comfort. Conviction over convenience. Purpose over preservation.
In that sense, every generation faces a choice. It can become a generation of spectators, watching events unfold from a distance, or a generation of champions — individuals willing to engage, contribute, and lead despite the challenges they encounter.
Today, I believe, South Africa has another generation of champions. Champions in our schools, universities, in business, church and in our communities. Champions who choose faith over fear. Champions who choose integrity over corruption. Champions who choose service over selfishness. Champions who choose responsibility over apathy.
South Africa has a future
As I looked across SuperSport Park Stadium, I was filled with hope. Not because our challenges have disappeared. Not because solutions will come easily. But because I saw thousands of young people who refuse to believe that South Africa’s best days are behind her. A generation with a Godly purpose, that goes beyond themselves.
I saw a generation that wants to serve. A generation that wants to lead. A generation that wants to build. A generation that wants to make a difference.
The youth of 1976 helped secure political freedom for South Africa. But perhaps the challenge placed before this generation is different. Perhaps this generation is called to help build a society marked by faith, integrity, opportunity, responsibility, reconciliation, and hope.
As we celebrate Youth Day, let us DO MORE than remember the sacrifices of the past. Let’s invest into our young leaders. Let us encourage them, equip them, mentor them, and believe in them.
Because after this weekend, I am more convinced than ever: A new generation is emerging! And if they embrace courage, purpose, responsibility, and faith, they may yet help write one of the greatest chapters in South Africa’s story.
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