The quiet strength of today’s youth

For many young South Africans, their daily reality is a balancing act. They’re managing job rejections, hustling to make ends meet, supporting their families, and trying to live up to society’s expectations – all while silently battling feelings of failure. Youth unemployment is not a uniquely South African problem, but over 45% young people in South Africa are not employed. Behind these statistics are real people who’ve done everything “right” – studied hard, sent out hundreds of CVs – but still can’t find work and provide for themselves.

“Helping them reminds me I still have something to give”

Calvin* (22) says that he feels “lost in transition”. Calvin recently graduated from North-West University, but like many young South Africans, the job market hasn’t been kind. “I thought once I had my degree, things would fall into place. But I’ve sent multiple job applications and I’m still at home. It makes me question my worth.” “I think that it’s even more disappointing when you send applications for a volunteer position but you don’t even get a call back.” 

Even though Calvin is disappointed with his current situation, he isn’t bitter. Instead, he’s part of a group of young people who clean in and around schools in Promosa and Ikageng. “Helping them reminds me I still have something to give. Who knows? Maybe this opportunity will open doors for me in waste management,” he shares.

“I don’t know who I might need forgiveness from one day”

Zinhle* (15) knows what it feels like to be treated as an outsider. She was bullied at school for not knowing how to speak isiZulu. “When I first changed schools from a multiracial school to a township school, because my mom could no longer afford the fees when my stepdad passed away, I was labeled many things,” she says. “I remember being called coconut all because I couldn't speak isiZulu.” “For a long time those labels used to hurt me,” she says as she recalls how she used to cry to her mother, begging her to take her back to her old school. But through this experience, Zinhle says she has learnt to be forgiving “because I don’t know who I might need forgiveness from one day.” 

“I still hope to fulfil my dream of being a child psychologist” 

Once in the grip of drug and alcohol addiction, Rorisang's* (34) life unraveled. Relationships faded and her opportunities vanished. “The last time I was employed was 10 years ago.” “I was my mothers first child to graduate, but I lost track somewhere along the line,” she says. What began as recreational weed use quickly spiraled and other substances followed. “The pressure got to me. I felt like I was carrying my mother's hopes and dreams and I failed her.”

As she puts the pieces of her life back together, she acknowledges how her mother never gave up on her and says that is what motivates her. “I now volunteer for a substance abuse programme in Rustenburg and still hope to fulfil my dream of being a child psychologist.” 

These stories remind us that today’s youth are choosing to be kind and empathetic towards others, even while they carry their own invisible burdens.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can  show kindness even when your own life feels like a struggle, you can listen to this powerful podcast conversation featuring family therapist and Heartlines representative Merrishia Singh-Naicker, Wesley van Graan, also from Heartlines, and Simone Gregor, programme manager of What’s Your Story? They join host Andile Maposa to talk about finding healing through empathy and the quiet strength that comes from showing up for others. 

*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the people featured in this story.