The voices of South Africa’s children and teenagers have rung out loud and clear — and this time, the country cannot afford to ignore them.
Over the past few months, more than 1 100 young people from every province poured their hearts into the Hear Me Out and Keready to Ringa creative competitions, part of the national Hold My Hand campaign in support of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC).
Through letters, poems, raps, drawings, voice notes, songs, and videos, they shared raw truths about what it means to grow up in South Africa right now: their hopes, fears, struggles, and joys. Some asked for love and safety. Others spoke about identity and belonging. And a few reminded us that fun matters too — yes, even asking for “a week off school!”
But beneath the humour lies a deeper call that can no longer be dismissed.
What young people are saying
Across both competitions — one for teens, the other for children — the themes were strikingly consistent:
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Mental health is urgent. Depression, anxiety, and trauma were mentioned in almost every entry. Many said it was the first time they had been asked what they really want.
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Respect and real listening matter. Young people are tired of being spoken over, dismissed, or judged before they’ve even finished their sentences.
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Identity and belonging are key. From exploring gender to navigating friendships, many fear rejection for simply being themselves.
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Digital life is pressure, not escape. Social media, while entertaining, often fuels bullying, anxiety, and endless comparison.
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Safety and love are non-negotiable. Violence at home, harshness at school, and community struggles weigh heavily — yet even small acts of kindness can make all the difference.
Their words say it best:
“Don’t just tell us to speak. Make it safe for us to be heard.” – 14 years
“Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning… what if I’m not good enough?” – 15 years
“We are not just moody. We’re struggling.” – 14 years
“I wish you’d see me beyond the grades, beyond the expectations. See the real me, with all my imperfections and flaws.” – 18 years
“My mom writes me little notes every day. That star-shaped one made me feel really special.” – 10 years
Why this matters
These voices are not just competition entries. They are insights into the lived reality of young South Africans — insights that are now feeding directly into the NSAAC, a Presidency-led national plan designed to ensure that every child grows up with love, safety, nutritious food, and the opportunity to thrive.
“Children live on the edge of both possibility and risk,” says Dr Katlego Selikane, Lead for Keready, which supports teenagers as part of Hold My Hand. “If we’re serious about building a better future, we must start by listening, really listening, to the children and teens who will live that future — and then provide the parenting, mentoring and adult presence they need.”
The NSAAC calls for a whole-of-society approach: government, civil society, business, schools, faith communities, and families working together to deliver on ten national priorities — from protecting children against abuse and harmful substances, to improving mental health support, to helping teenagers discover a stronger sense of identity and agency.
What’s next
These powerful messages won’t gather dust in a report. Hold My Hand and its partners are moving them into action:
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Policy discussions at national and provincial level
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Community dialogues that create safe spaces for children and teens
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School programmes that offer trauma-informed training for teachers and parents
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Campaigns and interventions addressing violence, substance abuse, and heavy drinking in communities
“The competitions have closed, but the conversation and action are only beginning,” says Lebo Motshegoa, Hold My Hand’s Content Lead. “To do justice for our children, we must prioritise them — in everything we do. Every adult, whether parent, teacher, sibling, business leader or policymaker, must embrace the philosophy that ‘every child is my child’.”
About Hold My Hand
Hold My Hand is South Africa’s national campaign for children and teenagers in support of the NSAAC. It calls on adults to walk alongside young people, not in front of them — to hold their hands, listen to their truths, and act together to build a safer, fairer, stronger South Africa.
👉 The message from South Africa’s youth is simple but profound: “We spoke. Now, please listen.” The question is — will we?
