News24 | Meet our 2024 Young Mandelas who are unleashing SA’s potential and forging a new path

30 Young Mandelas: These leaders are rising up and restoring faith in SA’s future

The South Africa of Nelson Mandela is shifting before our eyes, but democracy has given birth to a new generation of changemakers who are stepping up as the custodians of Madiba’s enduring legacy.  

News24 has unveiled this year’s 30 Young Mandelas of the Future, as we celebrate the life and impact of the respected world icon.

The annual newsroom initiative honours SA youth from all walks of life who are championing change and reviving a spirit of activism three decades into democracy.

We have picked exceptional young people across six categories who are pushing Madiba’s vision of a united South Africa where compassion, equality, freedom, and opportunity reign. 

Take 20-year-old Thaafir Mustapha, for example. He’s a dynamic and innovative leader from Cape Town who has made significant contributions to SA democracy through his founding of SoWeVote. 

Or Thomas Ngwana, 29, a social justice advocate who co-founded a centre that equips disabled people with the support needed to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into successful ventures. 

Then there’s Siyanda and Siyabulela, two remarkable brothers and pupils who created SiyaTutor, a WhatsApp-based chatbot that provides personalised educational support to students from Grade 1 through matric. 

These are some of the young leaders making meaningful contributions to building a society Madiba would be proud of.

Visit our dedicated hub here to learn more about the 30 finalists in the following categories:

Climate literacy and sustainabilitySocial justiceInnovationMental healthHumanitarianismDeepening democracyAs the nation embraces a new chapter of leadership, these young pioneers are leading from the front and shaping SA’s future. 

We salute them and hope you are inspired to do the same.