Youth empowerment: engaging in social justice is the way to go

ALTHOUGH my journey with social justice began in primary school under the labels of "outreach" and "charity drives", I only came to understand its depth at university.

- LIAM GILLESEN

While charity and community outreach fall under the umbrella of social justice, the concept is much more expansive at its core. It is about finding sustainable ways to ensure all people have equal rights and access to basic resources.

Social justice is far more personal than charity. It involves putting yourself in the shoes of those whose rights you are fighting for - feeling what others feel and being personally invested in their stories.

To mark Youth Day on June 16, this piece explores the following key question: "Why should young people in South Africa be social justice champions?".

Struggling nation

It can only really be answered by asking a crucial preliminary question: "How much do you love South Africa?". We are struggling as a nation because of a lack of social justice. With a failing State, the heavy burden of achieving it rests on ordinary people and businesses. Social justice is challenging, and it requires people who just get stuck in without complaining or shrugging it off as "not my problem".

If you're quick to blame the government yet unwilling to sacrifice your resources and time, then not only is social justice not for you but dare I say that you're living in the wrong country. Being involved in social justice can also be mind-boggling because it is not, at its core, a radical idea.

It is simply saying that everyone should get the bare minimum - food, housing, education, economic opportunities, etc. to get a fair shot at life.

The hurdles social justice leaders must overcome and the battles they must fight to convince those in power to grant people what they are entitled to are frustrating, disappointing and emotionally draining.