One hundred young, bright and determined game changers who are shaping the future of South Africa, and making a tangible difference to the lives of those around them, were honoured at a gala ceremony in Kempton Park Friday.
The inaugural 100 South Africa Shining Stars initiative, a partnership between Inside Education and the National Youth Development Agency, recognises young South Africans with a virtuous sense of civic action and public service while making significant contributions to the public good.
Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo said government is heartened by this initiative and these 100 South Africa Shining Stars will “serve as an inspiration to South African youth.”
“We at Inside Education, supported by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), have sifted through the sands and unearthed these bright game changers who are shaping the future of South Africa by doing extraordinary things with unwavering commitment and service to their respective communities against seemingly insurmountable odds,” said Inside Education MD Matuma Letsoalo.
NYDA Executive Chairperson, Sifiso Mtsweni said: “We are delighted as the NYDA to have partnered with Inside Education on this programme. It is of critical importance to always celebrate amazing young South Africans.”
“These 100 Shining Stars… These 100 timely interventions with far and wide impact, comes at a critical time in our post-apartheid quest to better the lives of millions of our compatriots suffering, enduring, surviving on the margins,” Letsoalo said.
Mtsweni added that “The centre of a successful youth development trajectory is the ability to partner with organisations that seek to achieve similar objectives as the NYDA, and Inside Education is one such organisation.”
“As history so very clearly illustrates, when challenges arise, it is the youth who act, perhaps not surprisingly, as it as their future, their very lives who are on the line,” Letsoalo said.
