--- title: "Youth Summit on the Hill" url: "https://bashauhuru.co.za/youth-summit-on-the-hill/" description: "The 1976@50 Youth Summit on the Hill brings young leaders together at Constitution Hill for constitutional literacy, civic action and dialogue during Basha Uhuru 2026." dateModified: "2026-07-08T08:36:44+00:00" --- # Youth Summit on the Hill ### Constitutionalism in Action #### Where We Come From, Where We Stand #### 24-25 JUNE 2026 #### Closed session #### Constitution Hill, Johannesburg ### 1976@50 Youth Summit on the Hill ![We the People South Africa Black](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/We-the-People-South-Africa-Black.png) ### Constitutionalism in Action: Youth Shaping the Next 30 Years The **1976@50 Youth Summit on the Hill** is a flagship two-day Youth Month convening hosted by **WeThePeopleSA** in partnership with **Constitution Hill Development Company** and the **Seth Mazibuko Foundation**. Taking place at Constitution Hill as part of the 2026 Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, the summit brings together young leaders, activists, students, organisers, educators and civil society representatives for two days of constitutional literacy, intergenerational dialogue, civic participation and action. Positioned immediately after the June 16 commemorations, the summit moves beyond remembrance. It connects the legacy of the 1976 generation to the responsibilities facing young people in contemporary South Africa. ##### CLOSED SESSIONS ![We the People South Africa Black](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/We-the-People-South-Africa-Black.png) ![constitution logo 30 1](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/constitution-logo-30-1.png) ![kagiso trust](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/kagiso-trust.jpg) ![Finish What WS Flame Logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Finish-What-WS-Flame-Logo.jpg) ![smf logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smf-logo.jpg) ![Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Youth Activism Programme logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ahmed_Kathrada_Foundation_Youth_Activism_Programme_logo.jpg) ![13 Amnesty International South Africa logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13_Amnesty_International_South_Africa_logo.png) ![21 Power Law Africa logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/21_Power_Law_Africa_logo.png) ![23 Equal Education logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23_Equal_Education_logo.png) ![04 Justice Jody Kollapen Constitutional Court of South Africa logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/04_Justice_Jody_Kollapen_Constitutional_Court_of_South_Africa_logo.png) ![15 Be The Future Foundation logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/15_Be_The_Future_Foundation_logo.jpg) ![17 Youth Capital logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/17_Youth_Capital_logo.png) ![SECTION27 Logo hr](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SECTION27-Logo-hr.png) ![19 Public Affairs Research Institute PARI logo or screenshot](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19_Public_Affairs_Research_Institute_PARI_logo_or_screenshot.png) ![09 Groundwork Collective GWC logo](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/09_Groundwork_Collective_GWC_logo.png) #### Constitutionalism in Action Under the theme **“Constitutionalism in Action: Youth Shaping the Next 30 Years”**, the summit asks what it means for young people to inherit South Africa’s constitutional democracy — and how they can actively shape its future. The summit responds to urgent challenges facing South Africa’s democracy, including low constitutional literacy, declining civic trust, youth exclusion from decision-making spaces, inequality, unemployment and weak intergenerational engagement between liberation history and contemporary youth struggles. It seeks to reposition young people not only as beneficiaries of democracy, but as active custodians, participants and builders of South Africa’s constitutional future. #### Why This Summit Matters Thirty-two years into democracy, South Africa faces a critical paradox. Young people inherit one of the world’s most progressive constitutions, while many continue to live with acute inequality, unemployment and democratic disillusionment. At the same time, young people are not passive. Across the country, they continue to organise, mobilise and create change through climate justice, education activism, gender equity, community organising, entrepreneurship and civic action. The **1976@50 Youth Summit on the Hill** bridges these realities by bringing historical memory into conversation with constitutional values and practical democratic participation. It honours the radical courage of 1976 by asking how that courage can be carried into the next 30 years. [!\[Basha DAY 1 24 June 2026 Youth Summit Closed 1\](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Basha-DAY-1-24-June-2026_-Youth-Summit-Closed-1.jpg)](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Basha-DAY-1-24-June-2026_-Youth-Summit-Closed-1.jpg) [!\[Basha DAY 2 25 June 2026 Youth Summit Closed iQhawe VOF Open 1\](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Basha-DAY-2-25-June-2026_-Youth-Summit-Closed-_-iQhawe-VOF-Open-1.jpg)](https://bashauhuru.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Basha-DAY-2-25-June-2026_-Youth-Summit-Closed-_-iQhawe-VOF-Open-1.jpg) ### Day 1: Where We Come From, Where We Stand **Wednesday, 24 June 2026** Day 1 focuses on memory, history, reflection and intergenerational dialogue. Participants will engage with the making of the Constitution, hear from key voices across generations, take part in guided Constitution Hill heritage tours, and join facilitated reflection circles on the future of constitutionalism. Time ## Programme ## Details 08h00 – 09h00 Registration, Breakfast & Networking Includes video: History and Making of Constitution by WeThePeopleSA Time ## Programme ## Details 09h00 – 09h20 Opening Performance / Creative Welcome South African National Anthem and Preamble Reading by Positive Vibrations Time ## Programme ## Details 09h20 – 09h30 Official Welcome Remarks Mbali Baduza and Mankone Ntsaba Time ## Programme ## Details 09h30 – 10h00 Opening Address Justice Kollapen Time ## Programme ## Details 10h00 – 10h20 Icebreaker & Participant Introductions WTPSA and CHDC Team Time ## Programme ## Details 10h20 – 12h00 Intergenerational Dialogue Facilitated by Irfaan Mangera. Speakers: Seth Mazibuko, Tshepo Madlingozi, Kamo Malikane, Mbali Ntuli, Lisa Silwana Time ## Programme ## Details 12h00 – 12h45 Lunch Seth Mazibuko, Ronnie Mathabathe and Con Hill tour guides Time ## Programme ## Details 12h45 – 14h45 Guided Constitution Hill Heritage Tours Facilitators: CHDC, Seth Mazibuko Foundation, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Youth Programme, Power Law Africa, Equal Education, Youth Capital, Public Affairs Research Institute Time ## Programme ## Details 14h45 – 16h00 Reflection Circles & Facilitated Group Discussions ### Day 2: What Must Be Done **Thursday, 25 June 2026** Day 2 turns reflection into action. Participants will take part in practical skills labs, issue-based dialogues and democratic participation sessions designed to support young people in building tools for civic engagement. Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 08h30 – 09h00 Arrival, Breakfast & Networking Welcome Participants arrive, connect and prepare for the day’s action-focused programme. WeThePeopleSA Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 09h00 – 09h20 490 Video: Making of the Constitution Screening Video screening on the making of the Constitution. WeThePeopleSA Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 09h20 – 09h45 Day 1 Reflection & Day 2 Framing Reflection Recap of Day 1 and framing for the day’s practical civic action sessions. WeThePeopleSA; Seth Mazibuko Foundation Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 09h45 – 11h20 Skills Labs Skills Lab Practical tools for organising communities and building civic participation. Rivonia Circle Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 11h20 – 11h30 Tea Break Skills Lab Tools for advocacy, campaigning and issue-based mobilisation. Amnesty International Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 11h30 – 12h15 Parallel Sessions Skills Lab Using media and storytelling to communicate civic issues and mobilise action. Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile, Nelson Mandela Foundation Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 12h15 – 13h00 Lunch Skills Lab Practical approaches to voter registration and democratic participation. Be The Future Foundation Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 13h15 – 14h30 Making the Constitution Real: Deepening Democratic Participation Break Short break between skills labs and parallel dialogues. WTPSA Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator 13h15 – 14h30 Closing Plenary: Youth Shaping the Next 30 Years Parallel Dialogue The case for healing, breaking structural barriers and promoting constitutional values. GBV Response Fund Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator Parallel Dialogue Asking whether healthcare for all is possible in a country with serious institutional challenges. Section27 Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator Parallel Dialogue Exploring how South Africa can ensure equal and quality access to education. EE Law Centre Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator Parallel Dialogue Exploring how to tackle youth unemployment and make dignified, meaningful work possible for young people. Youth Capital Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator Break Lunch break. WeThePeopleSA Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator Plenary / Screening Includes screening of 490 Project Videos and a session with Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Acting Constitutional Court Judge. Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi Time ## Programme ## Format ## Focus / Description ## Partner / Facilitator Closing Session Launch of the Youth Summit Network, WhatsApp group and group picture. Seth Mazibuko Foundation; WeThePeopleSA ### Day 2 Closing Session The afternoon programme includes **Making the Constitution Real: Deepening Democratic Participation**, a screening of **490 Project Videos**, and a session with **Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi**, Acting Constitutional Court Judge. The summit closes with the plenary **Youth Shaping the Next 30 Years**, the launch of the Youth Summit Network, a WhatsApp group and a group picture. ### Mbali Baduza Human rights lawyer and CEO of WeThePeopleSA, focused on civic education, constitutional literacy and strengthening public understanding of the Constitution. ### Mankone Ntsaba Chairperson of Kagiso Trust, with experience in governance, development programmes, consulting, water and sanitation, and community development. ### Justice Jody Kollapen Constitutional Court Justice and former head of the South African Human Rights Commission, with a long career in human rights law and public interest justice. ### Sandile Seth Mazibuko Educationist, liberation-history custodian and founder of the Seth Mazibuko Foundation. He was one of the young student leaders of the 1976 Soweto uprising. ### Kamogelo Malikane Junior Mayor of Johannesburg and award-winning public speaker, recognised for youth leadership, debating, civic engagement and national public speaking achievements. ### Mbali Ntuli Social entrepreneur, education advocate and founder of Groundwork Collective, working to strengthen civic education, youth participation and democratic culture. ### Lisa Silwana Youth activist, community developer, entrepreneur and human rights defender working across youth development, gender equality, leadership, education and social justice. ### Mmagauta A Molefe Political activist, Black Consciousness veteran and women’s rights organiser whose work spans anti-apartheid activism, adult literacy, community development and heritage preservation. ### Nobuhle Dube Engagement Coordinator at Amnesty International South Africa, focused on youth empowerment, human rights advocacy and civic engagement across university networks. ### Sandile Soxokashe Community organiser and civic activist from Bekkersdal, and founder of Be The Future Foundation, focused on youth advocacy, environmental justice and local accountability. ### Buhlebethu Magwaza Project Lead at Youth Capital, working on youth unemployment, economic inclusion, public policy and ensuring young people help shape the systems meant to support them. ### Phenyo Sekati Candidate Legal Practitioner at Power & Associates, with interests in human rights, digital rights, equality, inclusion, child law and public international law. ### Itumeleng Mothlabane Social justice activist and General Secretary of Equal Education, working to advance education justice, democratic participation, equity and community development. ### Gauta Mashego Candidate attorney in SECTION27’s Health Rights Programme, using the law to advance social justice, health rights and meaningful public-interest change. ### Tshegofatso Phala Public interest lawyer and Executive Director with experience in litigation, movement lawyering, constitutional democracy and rights-based advocacy. ### Vuyolwethu Tswelekile Community Engagement Officer and human rights activist committed to education justice, grassroots mobilisation and empowering communities through advocacy and legal support. ### Tessa Dooms Director at Rivonia Circle, sociologist, author and political analyst committed to democratic renewal, social change and reimagining South Africa’s future. ### Tembeka Ngcukaitobi Lawyer, legal scholar and advocate with expertise in constitutional law, public law, land reform and democratic participation. ### Obakeng Kgatshe Youth Leadership and Activism Programme Manager at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, working to mobilise young people through civic education and community action.