GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Twenty-two local students recently completed Module 1 training with ACTIVATE! Change Drivers, a non-profit organisation committed to empowering young South Africans to become active leaders and change agents in their communities. 

The four-day training, held at uMasizakhe from 8 to 12 September, aimed to inspire youth to lead positive change while providing them access to broader networks, mentorship and opportunities.

Teboho Motlana, training team lead, and Thabiso Oliphant, ACTIVATE! in-community amplifier, explained that young people across South Africa are already quietly driving powerful change, yet their efforts often go unnoticed, unsupported and underfunded. 

“Our goal is to equip youth to be innovative, active citizens, influencing positive change for the global good,” said Oliphant.

ACTIVATE! was founded in January 2012 and has since trained more than 4 500 young South Africans across all nine provinces, embracing diversity in geography, religion, sexual orientation and identity. 

The programme equips participants with skills in articulation, leadership, socio-political navigation, identity, and activating change. 

Each student received a red journal to begin their personal “river of life”, symbolising their journey of growth and action.

By working closely with local communities, ACTIVATE! seeks to maximise the impact of its programmes and create meaningful opportunities for young leaders. 

The organisation’s mission is to build a network of change drivers who can influence social, political and economic spheres while promoting values of generosity, respect, responsibility, and strategic relevance.

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