Youth Rising: Stories of Courage, Change, and Hope

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, AWARE.org (Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education) is honouring the resilience, leadership, and potential of young people who are transforming their lives and communities through courage, purpose, and support.

At the heart of AWARE.org’s mission is its commitment to the flagship #NOtoU18 campaign – a key pillar focused on protecting children and youth from underage drinking and its detrimental consequences. Through partnerships and diverse programmes, and platforms, the organisation works to reduce alcohol harm, especially among vulnerable groups, by intervening early, educating consistently, and empowering meaningfully.

“Our youth are not just future leaders, they are change-makers,” says Mokebe Thulo, CEO of AWARE.org. “We’ve seen time and time again how, when given the right tools and sometimes a needed second chance, young people become powerful agents of positive transformation. This Youth Month, we honour those young voices who are not only rising above their circumstances but reaching back to uplift others. They are the true Makers of Tomorrow.”

AWARE.org’s youth-focused work is delivered through schools, community-based recreational initiatives, rehabilitation to enable behaviour change as well as mass media. These interventions foster safer environments and provide mentorship and essential life skills. This holistic approach doesn't just enable children to say no to underage drinking, it offers something far greater to say yes to: opportunity, growth, and hope.

Whether through school-based sport, drama and food gardening or other positive community-level interventions, AWARE.org and its partners are working to meet young people where they are – offering both preventative support and pathways to recovery. These safe spaces help youth build confidence, shift behaviours, and discover purpose. From avoiding harm to embracing healing, we are seeing powerful stories of growth: young people once on the margins are now standing tall, making different choices, and becoming mentors, leaders, and agents of change.

One such voice is Sonwabile Sithole (29), a social worker from Durban: “Being part of the ICAN programme gave me direction and a sense of purpose,” says Sithole. “I now support other young people who face similar struggles. We’re not just avoiding harm, we’re building new lives.”

Her message to young South Africans this Youth Month is bold and direct: “Start now. Don’t wait for someone to help you figure it out. This is your lightbulb moment. Even if you start afraid, start with the person in the mirror.”

Another bright mind shaping this moment is Nontuthuzelo Ndongeni (23), part of School of Hard Knocks (SoHK), an initiative that combines sport, therapy, and life skills. For her, the work is deeply personal.

“Growing up in a Black household, I often heard, ‘Children should be seen and not heard.’ Today, I create spaces where children are not only seen but truly heard,” she reflects.

Her work, through programmes like Safe-Hub and SoHK, uses tools such as sport – in the form of touch rugby -, mentorship, and pitch-side therapy to open new paths for healing, confidence, and purpose. She lives by a powerful truth: “Always try to be the person you needed when you were younger.”

This Youth Month, AWARE.org celebrates young people who have faced adversity and emerged stronger, thanks to the support of community organisations committed to uplifting, healing, and empowering them. Through honest reflection and bold dreams, these young voices are shaping the future of South Africa, one decision at a time.

Ethan Thabo Sheraton (24), also part of the SoHK coaching staff in Woodstock, Cape Town, supports youth transformation by blending sport, therapy, and emotional wellbeing.

“By understanding each participant’s background and building strong relationships, I can support them in a way that best suits their unique needs,” he says.

Ethan’s strength lies in staying grounded, even when things get tough. “I remind myself that even the simplest conversation can be the catalyst for change. Maybe I won’t change their entire life, but I might be the person who leads them to the one who does.”

At Dietrich and Gelvan Park Primary Schools in Port Elizabeth, younger voices are also showing remarkable growth and wisdom.

Luke Nel (12) wants to be an electrical engineer and already helps his father fix things at home. “I’ve learnt I should never drink alcohol underage or do things that can harm others. What makes me proud is that I treat people with respect,” he says, beaming.

His classmate, Chede Ferreira (11), dreams of becoming a lawyer or a doctor.

“We learnt about how alcohol affects the brain and heart,” she shares. “I want to help build a better South Africa where there’s less crime. I’ll do that by being kind and helping others instead of hurting them.”

And for Qhama Booi (11), the programme helped him reflect on the choices he makes.  

Qhama feels more confident thanks to playing soccer, which taught him discipline and focus. His message to others is simple but poignant: “Focus on your studies. Don’t follow bad friends.”

“These stories remind us why we invest in our youth,” says Thulo. She explains how AWARE.org supports and works with regional and national implementing partners like SoHK, SANCA and United through Sport to bring holistic, youth-centred programmes to where the youth and their needs are in communities.

“When we create safe, nurturing spaces for young people to be heard and healed, we give them the tools to rewrite their stories and ours too. One conversation, one safe space, one second chance that’s how a nation is changed.”

Let this Youth Month be a reminder: change doesn’t always come through big speeches or headlines. Sometimes, it starts with a child who chooses kindness, a young adult who listens, or a leader who remembers what it was like to be young and unheard.