On 16 June, South Africa marks Youth Day, a day that honors the courage, conviction, and sacrifice of the young people who stood up against injustice during the Soweto Uprising of 1976.
What began as a student-led protest against unequal education became a defining moment in the country's history and a powerful reminder of the role young people have played in shaping South Africa's future.
Nearly five decades later, Youth Day remains more than a commemoration of the past. It is a call to action. It challenges all of us to consider how we are creating opportunities for the next generation and ensuring that young South Africans have the skills, support, and access they need to thrive.
As a company founded in South Africa, Entersekt remains deeply connected to that responsibility.
While our business has grown into a global provider of financial authentication and fraud prevention solutions, our roots remain firmly planted in South African soil. Our success has always been intertwined with the communities around us, and we believe that creating meaningful opportunities for young people is one of the most important investments we can make in our country's future.
That belief is reflected in our long-standing partnership with YES4Youth.
Through this multi-year initiative, Entersekt helps create paid, structured work experiences that equip young people with practical skills, workplace exposure, and pathways to future employment.
Since 2022 alone, 59 young South Africans have participated in YES programs supported by Entersekt, gaining valuable experience while contributing to initiatives focused on digital inclusion and skills development.
But the impact extends beyond individual participants.
During 2024 and 2025, Entersekt funded the placement of 24 teaching assistants in schools facing severe shortages of staff and resources. These placements helped support continuity in the classroom while providing young people with meaningful work experience and professional development opportunities.
Recognizing the potential of these participants, we also sponsored additional technology training and supported the establishment of smart classrooms. Today, several former teaching assistants are helping learners develop critical digital literacy skills, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the original program.
Five participants have already secured permanent employment at their host schools, while many others have gone on to find new opportunities, launch small businesses, and contribute positively within their communities.
These outcomes matter because the challenges facing many young South Africans remain significant. Access to quality education, meaningful employment, and digital skills continues to shape life opportunities for millions of people across the country.
The students who marched on 16 June 1976 understood the transformative power of education. Their protest was about more than language policy—it was a demand for dignity, opportunity, and a future in which young people could determine their own destinies.
Today, the context is different, but the principle remains the same.
By investing in youth development, skills training, and digital inclusion, we can help create opportunities that unlock potential and strengthen communities.
We can help ensure that more young people are equipped not only to participate in the economy but to shape its future.
This Youth Day, we honor the legacy of the young people who changed South Africa's history. And we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the young people who will help write its next chapter.
Because when South Africa's youth succeed, South Africa succeeds.