Historically young people and injustice just don’t mix.
Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Thabo Mbeki, Tsietsie Mashinini and many other struggle heroes were youngsters when they conceived the dream of a free South Africa.
The youth of 76 forced government to abandon its plan for Black students to be taught in Afrikaans.
During 2015 and 2016 the students’ protracted battle for free higher education reached its climax, leading to the exemption of poor families from paying fees.
Yet over the years our Parliament and key decision-making structures have been led by older people.
While this year saw a 5% increase in young lawmakers compared to the fifth administration, some believe the appointments are just cosmetic.
Our producer Lindiwe Mabena probes whether voices of young people are being taken seriously in democratic South Africa.
Watch report below:
Watch public views on whether young voices are being taken seriously in SA:
![[File photo] Athletes waiting to start the Comrades Marathon in Pietermaritzburg.](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Comrades-Twitter-@ComradesRace-120x86.png)
