Fifty years after the 1976 Soweto uprising, the question of what has changed for South Africa’s youth remains both symbolic and sharply relevant.
Student voices describe a generation caught between hope and hardship, where unemployment, inequality, and mental health challenges define daily life. Campaign Director at the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa (SAAPA SA), Nomcebo Dlamini, who relates to the youth of 1976, says the struggles faced by young people then and now may differ in form, but remain rooted in inequality, opportunity, and survival.
Reflecting on her experience in 1976, Dlamini said young people were confronted by an education system and broader society that entrenched exclusion and limited their prospects.
“The biggest challenge we faced was an unjust system that denied us quality education, dignity, and opportunities. The introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction was simply the spark that ignited years of frustration. We knew that if we accepted an inferior education, we would be accepting a future of poverty and exclusion.”
She said that reality pushed many young people into activism and collective organising.
“That reality shaped my choices because it forced me to think beyond myself. I realised that remaining silent would only strengthen the system. Like many young people, I became involved in student organising because we believed that our future depended on our willingness to stand up for what was right.”
Dlamini also reflected on how alcohol was viewed in township communities during that period, saying it was seen as both a social and economic burden.
“Alcohol was a major concern in many townships. Young people saw how alcohol was negatively affecting families, draining household incomes, and contributing to violence and social problems. The beer halls were symbols of a system that profited from the suffering of Black communities.”
She said there was a strong belief that liberation extended beyond political freedom and into the well-being of communities.
“Many youth activists believed that true liberation was not only about political freedom but also about creating healthy and productive communities. Churches, civic organisations, parents, and young people often spoke out against excessive drinking because they could see the damage it was causing. There was a strong belief that young people should be disciplined, organised, and focused on building a better future.”
Turning to present-day youth, Dlamini said today’s generation faces more complex and less visible pressures, including unemployment, social media influence, and mental health challenges.
“Today’s youth face challenges that are different in many ways. Unemployment is extremely high, social media creates constant pressure and many young people are exposed to influences that did not exist in our time. They are expected to navigate a rapidly changing world while often lacking economic opportunities.”
She said unlike 1976, today’s struggles are not always clearly defined, which makes them harder to confront.
“In 1976 we knew exactly who and what we were fighting against. Today’s challenges can be less visible and more complex. Young people face mental health pressures, substance use, online misinformation, and economic uncertainty. These challenges can sometimes make it difficult to remain hopeful.”
Dlamini said substance use is often a symptom of deeper societal issues rather than an isolated problem.
“Absolutely. Alcohol and drug use do not exist in isolation. They are often linked to unemployment, poverty, hopelessness, trauma, violence, and a lack of opportunities. When young people feel disconnected from education, work, and community life, they become more vulnerable to harmful behaviours.”
She said effective responses must go beyond punishment and focus on long-term social investment.
“This does not mean individuals are not responsible for their choices, but we must also recognise the conditions that shape those choices. If we want to reduce alcohol and drug-related harm, we must invest in education, skills development, recreation, mental health support, and economic opportunities. Prevention is not as costly as treatment, and should therefore be prioritised.”
“The biggest challenges the youth face today are mental health issues, substance abuse, unemployment, and corruption in education.”
Sipunzi says these challenges are often rooted in deeper, unresolved struggles many young people carry. “Unemployment, undiagnosed mental issues, and… unhealed trauma.”
On substance abuse, she links it to broader social and economic pressures. “Lack of support from family and/or peers, educational and financial pressure, unemployment.”
She adds that many young people lack strong internal support systems and therefore seek help elsewhere. “The youth does not have enough internal support systems and tends to look for support externally.”
Reflecting on solutions, she calls for determination similar to past generations in confronting today’s issues. “Bravery and commitment.”
She also stresses the need for better access to information and opportunities for young people. “This information should be accessible to the youth.”
A student from Vosloorus, Owami Hlophe, says young people today are facing deep structural and emotional challenges that shape both their present reality and prospects.
“For me, the 3 biggest challenges are unemployment, mental health, and ‘qualifications without jobs’.”
Hlophe says unemployment is the most painful issue in her community, where many young people complete matric or tertiary studies but still struggle to find work. “Unemployment is the one that hits hardest here in Vosloorus. You finish matric or even get a diploma, but you still sit at home while taxis pass with ‘driver needed’ signs.”
On mental health, she details that it is a “silent battle” that is often not taken seriously in communities, where emotional struggles are misunderstood or dismissed. “Mental health is another silent battle. We don’t talk about it much in our communities… stress from no money, family problems, and seeing friends succeed on Instagram while you’re stuck… it weighs heavily.”
She also highlights a mismatch between education and employment opportunities. “We leave school ‘educated’ but not ‘employable’. Schools teach theory, but companies want skills.”
Student leader, Sakhile King Manana, says today’s youth are confronting intensified pressure compared to previous generations, with many young people struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
“I feel we have greatly underestimated the struggles of the youth… I’ve seen a lot of my peers slowly losing hope of what’s in store for them in the future, and I can’t blame them for it.”
He says one of the biggest challenges is how society defines success in a context of rising unemployment. “The key to success has changed in more ways than one, and the biggest challenge faced by the youth today is adapting to the change.”
On substance abuse, he says it is often driven by both social conditioning and emotional struggle. “The majority of young people cannot imagine going to a party without alcohol or drugs and actually enjoying it… this misguided view is one of the reasons drugs and drinking alcohol have become a significant issue.”
He also highlights that substance use is frequently linked to deeper personal pain. “Young people who do not know how to deal with such issues unfortunately seek guidance, comfort, or answers in bottles, pills, hallucinogens, etc. It’s a cry for help, and we should answer, or the issue just becomes bigger.”