This year, we commemorate the 47^th anniversary of the student uprising in Soweto on 16 June 1976. On this day, hundreds of young people were brutally killed while protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans by the apartheid regime as a medium of instruction. The uprising spread into a widespread revolt against the government, spreading across the country and continuing into the following year. When images of the police firing on peacefully demonstrating students reached international shores, the global community responded with vehemence against the apartheid government, thus spurring on the opposition movement.

Following the advent of democracy in 1994, the date was declared as National Youth Day and June as Youth Month. Let us all take a moment today to reflect on the contribution of young people in South Africa’s liberation struggle.

As a University, our community consists mainly of young people, and so this public holiday is especially pertinent. Youth continue to be our change-makers; they are the ones who express their impatience and frustration against the status quo, and use their fiery, passionate voices in protest. This was witnessed during the 2015 #FeesMustFall student-led movement to put an end to increases in student fees, a movement that lost public sympathy when the protests turned violent.

When young people rally in support of a united cause, they become a force to be reckoned with. What then, are the causes worth fighting for in 2023? In a country beset with socio-economic challenges and an unemployment rate close to 33%, among the highest in the world, it can be difficult to hold on to hope for the future. The economic impact of high unemployment has a lasting legacy on families and future generations.

But then, as we look back, we see that the course of history is not inevitable, and that in many instances, it has been dramatically altered by the bold actions of individuals who believed that change was the only viable option.

How then, can we make a positive difference to our country’s trajectory? “To whom much is given, much is expected” is an adage that points to the responsibility of those in a position of advantage. As students of one of Africa’s leading universities, with a presence among the top 1.9% of universities worldwide, you are in a space where a culture of excellent education is entrenched and new ideas are able to flourish. UP’s vision has always been to look forward, provide the best possible education for students and encourage them to go on to do great things. We are continuously transforming the corporate and research landscape through innovative thinking and the high calibre of our graduates. More than a quarter of a million alumni have passed through our doors. Many are on the path to success, while others have already become leaders in their fields, both locally and across the world.

'Our students are finding solutions to the world’s most pressing problems'

We have always firmly believed that we are a resource and an asset to South Africa, Africa and the world. We know that even more important than knowledge production is the wisdom and responsibility to apply our knowledge and skills for the benefit of all.

The University is now in the final phase of UP2025, a strategy that falls in line with our long-term blueprint towards reimagining and repositioning UP as a world-class research-intensive university, recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, and for developing people, creating knowledge and making a difference locally and globally. Through transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research approaches, and in collaboration with scholars across different institutions, our students are finding solutions to the world’s most pressing problems – from the discovery of a potent chemical compound that could possibly treat and even eliminate malaria to joining global efforts to address climate change and sustainable development.

Wherever you are in your academic journey, whether you’re a medical undergraduate, a master’s student plugged in at Engineering 4.0 or completing your PhD in the Faculty of Humanities, I would like to encourage you to mark out for yourself what success looks like, commit to persevering on the path, and perfecting and growing your skill set. In this way, by harnessing your unique talents and passion, you will be best placed to make a difference in your sector of society. I would also urge you to take advantage of our Ready for Work and Entrepreneurship programmes to boost your skills for life beyond university and prepare you to be adaptable in an ever-changing world. We are proud of the fact that more than 90% of our students are employed or choose to study further within six months of graduating.

When circumstances seem tough, as they currently do in South Africa, it can be hard to believe that a transformed society is possible. We get bogged down by what we see around us and read in the media, and negativity can set in. Let us remind ourselves that hope is belief in that which we do not yet see, and it is by fixing our eyes on that hope and taking concrete steps towards achieving its vision that we can play a meaningful role in changing our society.

That is exactly what the students of 1976 did, and today we are reaping the benefits of their bold actions. Youth Day is a reminder that we stand on the shoulders of giants and that we have a responsibility to continue this good work by confronting the issues that we face today.