SAYC UMgungundlovu Region

17/03/2026

Happy birthday to our REC Member, Khombisile Luthuli. We celebrate you today! Mamkhulu♥️

16/02/2026

Happy birthday Zwide✨🍰

You bring immense value not just to us as the REC, but to the entire uMgungundlovu region. Your dedication and commitment to empowering young people have not gone unnoticed. We appreciate your tireless efforts and wish you a day filled with laughter and happiness. May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly, granting you your heart's desires. We are proud to have you as our Chairperson, you truly deserve the role. May your special day be a reflection of the positive impact you have on our region. Here's to many more years of leadership and inspiration🥳🎉

You’re appreciated Zwide!🥂🎂

HAPPY BIRTHDAY🎈

03/02/2026

uMgungundlovu District NSC Awards 2026

The South African Youth Council attended the uMgungundlovu District awards function in celebration of the class of 2025 excellence. SAYC UMgungundlovu Region was represented by the Regional Spokesperson Lwazi Nyide, as well as the REC Member Zanethemba Xulu, who are both serving under the Education subcommittee of the Region. The function was held in Pietermaritzburg, the KZN Capital City, on the 3rd of February 2026.

30/01/2026

Earlier today, the Regional Chairperson Col T. Nxumalo, led the Operation Siyahlola Campaign at Isibongo LP School and Nhlanhleni HP School. He was joined by the ANCYL Member Cde Sne Ngcobo.

The purpose of the visit was to assess the schools' functionality and to put in place meaningful support to strengthen teaching and learning. 🌍🇿🇦

29/01/2026

South African Youth Council 🌍🇿🇦

The engagement, held on Tuesday, was led by the department's deputy director-general for corporate services management and came after weeks of protest by qualified but unemployed teachers demanding placement in schools which are experiencing staff shortages.

29/01/2026

Tomorrow, the Regional Chairperson Thandanani Nxumalo will lead a delegation to visit two schools in uMngeni Local Municipality. SAYC UMgungundlovu Region is working hard to ensure there is functionality at schools across the District, as part of our back to school campaign.

28/01/2026

The South African Youth Council (SAYC) Branch Executive Committee (BEC) in Mpofana proudly announces its active participation in the Operation Siyahlola Campaign, held today in Tauricus Combined School. This impactful initiative was further strengthened by the presence of our Deployed Deputy Regional Secretary, colleague Renesha Jugmohan, whose support underscores the importance of collaborative leadership and community engagement.

The well-structured programme, meticulously planned and led by Branch Secretary Mnqobi Ndawonde, addressed several critical needs within the school community. The activities included:

Handing Over of School Shoes: Recognising that adequate footwear is essential for dignity and effective learning, the BEC distributed school shoes to learners who were previously without them. This gesture not only supports children’s health and comfort but also enhances their confidence and participation in educational activities.

Establishment of a Vegetable Garden: In alignment with sustainable development goals and the promotion of food security, a vegetable garden was initiated on school grounds. School gardens are proven to enrich the educational environment by providing practical agricultural skills, improving nutrition, and fostering environmental stewardship among learners.

Distribution of Colouring Books and Crayon Packs: To encourage creativity and cognitive development among younger students, colouring books and crayon packs were handed out. Such resources are vital for early childhood development as they stimulate imagination, fine motor skills, and emotional expression.

We were also delighted to present two soccer balls and two netballs to the school as part of our ongoing commitment to promoting physical education, teamwork, and holistic development among students.

This campaign exemplifies SAYC’s commitment to holistic youth empowerment through direct action—addressing immediate material needs while also investing in long-term educational enrichment. The BEC extends gratitude to all partners, educators, parents, and especially the learners for their enthusiastic participation.

Through initiatives like Operation Siyahlola, SAYC continues to champion youth-driven solutions that uplift communities across South Africa.

28/01/2026

SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH COUNCIL STATEMENT ON THE BRUTAL SHOOTING INCIDENT AT UMNGENI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY WARD 01

For immediate release

28 January 2026

The South African Youth Council, uMgungundlovu Region, extends its deepest sympathies and outrage in response to the reprehensible act of violence perpetrated by an individual, resulting in the injury of three teenagers, including a matriculation learner, over the weekend in uMngeni Local Municipality (Ward 01).

This despicable act, which has left two of the victims hospitalized with severe injuries and one with minor injuries, is strongly condemned by the South African Youth Council, uMgungundlovu Region. We view this incident as a manifestation of intolerance and a blatant disregard for human life, striking at the heart of our nation's aspirations for unity and progress.

We urgently call upon the judiciary to ensure that the perpetrator is denied bail when he appears in court on 29 January, acknowledging the gravity of his actions and the threat he poses to society. Furthermore, we stand in solidarity with civil society organizations in advocating for a review of the perpetrator's business operations pending the outcome of the case.

The South African Youth Council, uMgungundlovu Region, is committed to closely monitoring the case and providing unwavering support to the affected families. We will continue to provide updates on the trial proceedings through our media platforms.

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH COUNCIL UMGUNGUNDLOVU REGION.

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For enquiries:

Thandanani Nxumalo
Regional Chairperson
Cell: +27 81 398 2366

Prince SK Nxumalo
Regional Secretary
Cell: +27 63 645 3180

Lwazi Nyide
Regional Spokesperson
Cell: +27 64 057 7923

27/01/2026

Tomorrow 📌 Mpofana📍 Back to school campaign.......Operation Siyahlola (SAYC)

27/01/2026

SAYC UMgungundlovu Region embarked on the back to school campaign "Operation Siyahlola" earlier today. The Regional Secretary Prince SK Nxumalo delivered a message on behalf of SAYC. The program was joined by the Minister in the Presidency, Hon. Sindisiwe Chikunga; District Mayor Cllr Mzi Zuma, uMshwathi Local Mayor Cllr Mandla Zondi as well as the NYDA Executive Chairperson, Dr Sunshine Myende.

27/01/2026

SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH COUNCIL HAILS MEC HLOMUKA FOR CHAMPIONING THE CONCERNS OF KZN UNEMPLOYED EDUCATORS MOVEMENT

For immediate release

27 January 2026

The South African Youth Council (SAYC) uMgungundlovu Region welcomes the initiative by the MEC for Education in Kwazulu-Natal, Honorable Sipho Hlomuka to meet with KZN Unemployed Educators Movement (KZNUEM). On the 19th January 2026, SAYC met with the group of unemployed graduates who have organized themselves as KZNUEM outside the headquarters of the KZN Department of Education.

Subsequently, on the 22nd of January 2026, SAYC engaged directly with the MEC with the aim to request an audience of the Department. The KZNUEM had formally submitted a request to SAYC to mediate between the Department and unemployed graduates. Upon receiving a call from SAYC, the MEC pledged to convene an urgent meeting where the Department would have an engagement with the unemployed graduates. The MEC further applauded SAYC for taking the initiative to lead these engagements in order to find an amicable solution.

The meeting was successfully convened on the 27th of January 2026. The MEC assigned a high-profile delegation from DOE led by the Deputy Director-General for Corporate Services, Advocate Masuku. Through the support of the Director in the Office of the MEC, Dr Mahaye, the meeting has taken place and yielded promising results.

The outcomes of the meeting resolved on the following resolutions:

● Department to be granted two weeks in order to conduct thorough assessment on the availability of vacancies within the province.
● KZNUEM group to disperse from camping outside the DOE headquarters.
●Reconvene for feedback meeting not later than the 16th February 2026.
●SAYC to continue providing the necessary support until the finalization of the matter.

SAYC is pleased with the progress made and further commends the KZNUEM for their professionalism throughout the engagements on the matter. SAYC extends its gratitude to the MEC for allowing this constructive dialogue to take place, despite political pressure from opportunists who wanted to exploit the conditions of the unemployed graduates. SAYC understands the sensitivity of the matter and calls on all external interested parties to exercise patience and refrain from interference in the affairs of the Department uninvited.

The conundrum of unemployment is a global crisis due to numerous factors, and the education sector is not immune from these unfortunate economic conditions. SAYC will closely monitor the processes to ensure that justice is served. SAYC unequivocally supports the strides made by the MEC in prioritizing this matter. As the legitimate voice of young people and champion of youth development, SAYC remains rooted in advancing the aspirations of unemployed graduates. Whilst SAYC is fully cognizant that this particular matter involves those who are also outside the youth bracket, the Department is encouraged to uniformly provide the necessary support to all the affected parties regardless of their age.

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH COUNCIL UMGUNGUNDLOVU REGION.

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For enquiries:

Thandanani Nxumalo
Regional Chairperson
Cell: +27 81 398 2366

Prince SK Nxumalo
Regional Secretary
Cell: +27 63 645 3180

Lwazi Nyide
Regional Spokesperson
Cell: +27 64 057 7923

27/01/2026