The President's Award for Youth Empowerment

19/06/2026

Voice #11 of 70 — meet Rosemary Jackson.

Silver & Gold Award achiever. Somerset West/Cape Town Centre, Western Cape. Gold class of 2013.

Rosemary didn’t just complete The Award; she became someone through it. And she’s been growing ever since.

“Leadership is not a title but a practice. Through the challenges, service, adventure, and skill development, I learned resilience, discipline, and the value of contributing to something bigger than myself. The greatest reward was the person I became in the process.”

She also left us with this gem

“Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they commit to consistent effort over time.”

We are beings in constant evolution. And The Award? It just gives you the tools to evolve intentionally.

We honour your journey, Rosemary. Thank you for sharing it with us.

18/06/2026

Voice #10 of 70 — meet Lelethu Mkonjeni.

Gold Award achiever, class of 2018. Now pursuing a Master’s in Global Trade and International Relations.

And the wisdom he carries from The Award? It hits different.

“The Award taught me that you never truly know your potential until you push yourself beyond what you believe are your limits. In doing so, you realize that the only real limitation is your level of dedication — or lack thereof.”

The Award it gave him a standard to hold himself to. And clearly, he hasn’t stopped since.

We are so proud of you, Lelethu. Keep going.

18/06/2026

As Patron-in-Chief of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, President Cyril Ramaphosa reminds us of the vital role young people play in shaping the future of our nation:

“This generation is the future of our country... these are the young people who take responsibility for their well-being and the well-being of those around them.”

At The President’s Award, we see this every day through young people who are choosing growth, service, leadership, and adventure. They are building skills, strengthening communities, and becoming for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This Youth Month, we celebrate the potential, resilience, and impact of South Africa’s youth.

17/06/2026

Voice #9 of 70 — meet Ashleigh Grace Van Laun.

Bronze. Silver. Gold. St Anne's Diocesan College. All the way. 🏅

"The Award taught me the importance of helping others and to be grateful for what we have, while also helping me become far more independent, confident, and capable of taking on new challenges alone."

Gratitude. Independence. Confidence. Three things you can't buy — but apparently you can earn them.

No apology needed for the wait, Ashleigh — your voice was absolutely worth it. We're so glad you're one of our 70.

16/06/2026

Voice #8 of 70 — meet John Mkabane.

Gold Award achiever. Kids Haven CYCC. And now — Lead Guide, mentor, and living proof that The Award doesn't just change you, it equips you to change others.

Bronze. Silver. Gold. And then? John turned around and brought more young people with him — through hiking trails, community service, and daily acts of servant leadership.

"The Award taught me resilience and servant leadership. Completing all 3 levels pushed me to guide and mentor young people... and now I use those lessons daily as a Lead Guide at Kids Haven CYCC."

This is what 70 years of impact looks like.

We are incredibly proud of you, John. 👏

16/06/2026

Voice #4 of 70 — meet Seymón Cramer.

A Gold Award achiever and final year LLB student, Seymón knows exactly what it takes to go the distance:

"The Award taught me resilience, determination and courage."

Three qualities that will carry you through law school AND life. We see a bright future ahead, Seymón — congratulations!

16/06/2026

16 June. A day we never forget.

On Youth Day, we honour the courageous voices of 1976 by continuing to empower the voices of today.

Your voice. Your future. Your impact.

The President's Award for Youth Empowerment exists because we believe in the limitless potential of South Africa's young people — just as those who came before us believed in theirs.

Happy Youth Day, South Africa. 🇿🇦💛

15/06/2026

Voice #7 of 70 — meet Nicole White.

Gold Award achiever. Comfort zone? Left it behind long ago.

"The Award taught me that true growth comes from stepping out of my comfort zone, pushing my limits and discovering strengths I never knew I had."

That feeling when you realise you're capable of MORE than you thought? The Award does that. Every. Single. Time. 🙌

We see you, Nicole. Keep pushing.

12/06/2026

Voice #6 of 70 — meet Abigail Collins.

Bronze. Silver. Gold. Abigail went all the way — and she has the mindset to prove it.

"The Award taught me that the sky is the limit. I developed perseverance, responsibility, and became more goal-oriented, pushing me to grow tremendously. Even after completing the Award, I continue to approach everything I do with the same mindset I gained from this journey — striving for excellence and embracing challenges."

That's not just an Award. That's a whole life philosophy.

We are so proud of you, Abigail. The world is yours. 🌍

11/06/2026