Commemorating the Spirit of 1976, Youth in Dialogue, Discovery, and Diplomacy
by Kirtan Bhana - TDS
25 June 2025
Pretoria, South Africa – The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa paid tribute to the fearless youth of June 16 1976 with a vibrant cultural and diplomatic event titled “China–South Africa Youth Exchange Night.” Hosted in partnership with the National Press Club, the event served not only to honour a defining moment in South Africa’s liberation struggle, but also to inspire a new generation to rise to today’s global challenges through unity, creativity, and cooperation.
June 16, 1976 marked a seismic moment in South Africa’s history. Young students, defying brutal oppression, took to the streets to demand a voice in shaping their own future. Their courage sparked a movement that ultimately contributed to the dismantling of apartheid.
Today, nearly five decades later, the youth of the world continue to face formidable challenges — rising inequality, unemployment, conflict, climate crisis, and digital overload. Many young people feel isolated, unheard, and disillusioned in a world of shifting geopolitics and fractured societies.
In response, the “China–South Africa Youth Exchange Night” provided a hopeful counter-narrative — one that positions youth as catalysts for change through education, culture, and international cooperation.
The evening featured the launch of a new book, ‘China Through My Eyes – A Journey of a Young South African to China’, authored by Michael Andisile Mayalo, a scholarship student who studied at Peking University through the “Dongfang Scholarship” in 2022. His account offers a deeply personal perspective on China’s society, values, and rapid development — a story of learning, friendship, and shared humanity.
“This book is a beautiful example of connection, of understanding between our two countries,” said Ambassador Wu Peng, who praised Mayalo’s work as a bridge between nations and cultures.
Following the book launch, guests were treated to a screening of the Chinese film ‘Ordinary Hero’, a moving true story of teamwork and selflessness, showcasing the values of solidarity, compassion, and youth leadership. Through the lens of cinema, the film offered South African audiences a glimpse into the heart of Chinese society, echoing values deeply shared with South Africa’s Ubuntu philosophy.
In his keynote remarks, Ambassador Wu reflected on the significance of youth engagement, outlining four guiding principles for building a brighter future: Connection, Capacity, Culture, and Cooperation.
“Young people are the future and hope of a nation,” he said. “We must connect across borders, learn from one another, and work together — not only for our own growth but for global peace and prosperity.”
China’s investment in youth development across Africa includes:
• The Future Africa Vocational Education initiative
• Support for 10 new Luban Workshops
• 60,000 training opportunities over the next three years, focused on youth and women
• New frameworks for China-Africa trade and economic cooperation, including zero-tariff access for African exports
These efforts, the Ambassador noted, are meant to build both “soft” and “hard” skills, empowering young people with tools for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global citizenship.
Among the distinguished speakers was Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, who, via a video link, highlighted the importance of intergenerational dialogue and international solidarity in creating safer, more inclusive spaces for youth. She praised the China–South Africa partnership as a model of development diplomacy rooted in mutual respect and people-to-people ties.
Also addressing the audience was Gadija Brown, Advisor to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who emphasised the role of youth exchange, education, and storytelling in reimagining Africa’s future. Brown commended initiatives like Mayalo’s book as “acts of self-discovery that shape the collective imagination.”
As young South Africans and Chinese mingled, exchanged ideas, and envisioned joint futures, the spirit of 1976 was palpably alive, not only in remembrance, but in recommitment. Through culture, education, and friendship, the event reminded attendees that youth are not just inheritors of past struggles, but architects of a more humane and interconnected world.
In a time when many young people feel left behind or overwhelmed by global uncertainty, this event offered an antidote: the promise of shared learning, opportunity, and hope.
“There is a Chinese saying,” concluded Ambassador Wu, “A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near. May tonight’s event be more than just a gathering. May it become a bridge—of ideas, of cultures, of friendships.”