Institute for Rural Development and Traditional Authorities in Vhembe Partner to Ignite Rural Change through Youth Month Commemoration

Monday, 30 June 2025, was a special day for the University of Venda (UNIVEN). The Institute for Rural Development and Student Representative Council co-hosted a Youth Day Commemoration event in the University Auditorium. The event which saw more than four hundred youth drawn from various Traditional Authorities (Madonsi, Manenzhe, Masia, Mphaphuli and Tshivhase) and UNIVEN was celebrated under the theme, ‘Empowering Youth to Lead Rural Transformation through Innovation, African Heritage and Resilience.’ Prof Takalani Mashau, Deputy Dean Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, co-facilitated the programme with Mr Rudzani Mamphweli, Community Engagement Officer in the Directorate of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation (DCEEIIC).
The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Joseph Francis, welcomed guests and acknowledged the presence of traditional leaders (in par-ticular His Majesty Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase and Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli), members of Senior Management of the university, students, staff, grassroots community represen-tatives who included school learners. He stressed the significance of the day, saying, “Today is a very special day and the only thing that I can do to make it special is to deliver a mes-sage of hope, reawakening the youth spirit of positive defiance.” He urged the youth to take charge and lead the way, quoting, “The youth of 1976 carried the torch. …. It is your turn to grab it, for it is now yours. Let it burn. Let it blaze. Let it build. The torch is yours.”
Prof Francis encouraged the youth to be proactive and innovative, highlighting the potential with-in them. He said, “Innovation does not wear a suit. It wears overalls. It plants maize. It rewires scrap metal.” As he concluded his speech, he highlighted the significance of the concept of hope, breaking it down into Healing, Opportunity, Perseverance and Enlightenment. Lastly, he dared the youth to act, saying, “Shake off your deep sleep, break the silence, unlearn your waiting.”
Dr Mbongeni Maziya, while giving the purpose of the event stated that the event was organised “to inspire and build youth with tools, knowledge and confidence to drive meaningful change in rural communities.” He said that the event sought to “ig-nite a movement where young leaders harness their creativity, draw strength from their rich cultural heritage and cultivate resilience to overcome challenges.” Dr Mazi-ya concluded his address by expressing that, “When our youth rise, Africa will also rise.”
Dr Agnes Mathaulula, a Senior Lecturer in the Institute for Rural Development (IRD), set the scene by urging young people to take their rightful place in decision-making spac-es whilst remaining grounded in our Africanness. She encouraged them to be innova-tive, solve problems, and lead with humility and vision. Dr Mathaulula also stressed the im-portance of intergenerational collaboration, pleading with elders to open doors, share their wisdom and make a room for young people to stand beside them, not behind.
After Dr Mathaulua’s address, the UNIVEN SRC President, Mr Vusi Mokoena delivered the keynote address titled ‘Rooted in Resilience, Rising Through Innovation: Youth as Catalysts for Rural Transformation’. He implored participants to examine their surround-ings, to be mindful of who they associate with, and to learn to collaborate with others.
Mokoena highlighted the value of networking and building relationships, citing the exam-ple of BMW’s complex network of suppliers. He also stressed the need for youth to think in-novatively and entrepreneurially, rather than solely relying on employment opportunities.
As he concluded his speech, Mokoena invited the youth to rise through innovation and work together to drive rural transformation.

Ms Tshinakaho Tshilamulele, a LLB graduate from UNIVEN and community change agent through the Skills for the Future programme coordinated by DCEEIIC, addressed the youth on the topic: ‘The role of entrepreneurship and innovation in the era of the 4IR’.
She revealed the importance of innovation in our everyday life. In the course of her presentation, Ms Tshilamulele explained the difference between innovation and entrepreneurship, noting that “Entrepreneurship is when you create value.”
She continued by urging individuals, especially youth, to not only generate innovative ideas but to bring them to life, thereby bridging the gap between innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ms Tinyiko Kanyane, representing Love Life (a Non-governmental Organisation deal-ing with youth issues in many parts of the country, including Vhembe District) shared the critical role of resilience in navigating life’s challenges and achieving meaning-ful success. Drawing from her own challenging journey, she advised young peo-ple to unlock their full potential by developing the mental strength needed to overcome adversity. Ms Kanyane added that a resilient spirit always helps one to en-dure difficult circumstances and build the confidence required to grow and thrive.

Intermingling with the presentations were diverse, lively performances by young peo-ple. These included a poem, titled “The Unbroken Circle,” jointly delivered by Koket-so Morwatshehla (Master of Arts in Rural Development student) and Ms Uhone Nen-zhelele (Second Year BSc Microbiology and Biochemistry student), and creative and riveting performance of Sarafina by Shigombe Primary School from the Madonsi Tradition-al Authority. Konanani Primary School learners from the neighbouring Ngovhela area de-livered a captivating Tshigombela performance, which befittingly ushered Thovhele Ken-nedy Tshivhase to the podium to deliver Mazwiwa (Special message from the Chief).

His Majesty, Thovhele Tshivhase expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the or-ganisers and participants in the crucial commemoration. He urged the youth to prioritise education and innovation, reminding them that “the future is within them and in their hands.” He raised his concerns about the worsening substance abuse among young people, describing it as a troubling trend that diverted atten-tion from the many opportunities available for their growth and empowerment.
Drawing inspiration from Asian cultures, His Majesty Thovhele Tshivhase encouraged the youth to embrace creativity and innovation as tools to attract support and funding for their well-packaged ambitions.

In addition, he stressed the importance of preserving our rich African cultural heritage, stat-ing that a young person grounded in his/her heritage is often well-groomed and respect-ful. His message served as both a caution and a call to action, urging today’s youth to hon-our the past by building a better future rooted in knowledge, discipline and cultural pride.

Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811