From Colour to Call to Action: Mamelodi Youth Walk the Talk for Health on Youth Day 2025

The annual #Youth4Health Colour Walk, a spirited multi-stakeholder event, once again brought together youth in all their diversity from school learners to activists, artists to athletes for a day that blended advocacy, celebration, and service delivery.

Among the many allies walking side by side with youth were Commissioner YCR Faro and Deputy Chief Nhlapho of the Tshwane Metro Police, answering the youth’s call for a safer and healthier Tshwane. Their presence was a resounding statement: youth health is a priority and it’s everyone’s business.

Why Mamelodi Marched: The Power of the #Youth4Health Colour Walk

The gentle winter sun warmed Mamelodi in golden light as the community gathered in jubilation. Laughter echoed, colour powder burst into the air, and chants filled the streets marking the beginning of a movement that’s as joyous as it is urgent. Now in its fourth year, the #Youth4Health Colour Walk is more than just a parade. It’s a campaign built on the principle that health is a right.

Targeting youth aged 14 to 35, the walk promotes:

• Awareness of preventive healthcare services
• Engagement around gender-based violence, early pregnancy, HIV & STIs
• The celebration of movement, indigenous games, and body autonomy
• Access to onsite testing, education, and dignity packs

This year’s event was unique: for the first time, it featured a talent competition, giving local youth a platform to shine and affirm their power.

Who Showed Upand Why It Matters

Representation was at the heart of this year’s walk. We were honoured to be joined by our Young Urban Women Movement (YUWM) sisters from East Rand, Orange Farm, Mokopane, Johannesburg CBD, and Alexandra.

Participants included:

• In-school and out-of-school youth
• Members of the LGBTQIA+ community
• Youth living with disabilities
• Young people navigating substance use, HIV, GBV, and poverty

This radical inclusion reminded us: every voice matters, and every experience deserves space in the conversation on youth health.

When Institutions Walk With Youth

The presence of Commissioner Faro and Deputy Chief Nhlapho was not only symbolic it was strategic. Safety is a major concern for many young people accessing services or simply existing in public spaces. Their presence helped build trust and reinforced the call for community-led, youth-centred safety solutions.

Other notable partners included:

• The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
• The Foundation for a Drug-Free World
• Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
• Local NGOs and CBOs committed to youth development

The Backbone: Youth-Led Movements and Local Champions

#YuwmMamelodi and #TheTeenRightSquad didn’t just participate they led. At the centre was Nkeletseng MsKay Tsetsane, founder of MB Teen Lifestyle, who has co-organised the walk for the past three years. Their grassroots leadership ensured that the event wasn’t just well-attended, but deeply meaningful and transformative for participants.

Partnerships that Power Progress

With ActionAid South Africa as the custodian of YUWM and Soul City Institute as a key implementing partner, the walk was a shining example of effective partnership. They ensured every South African chapter of YUWM could participate and used the space to amplify:

• The Womanifesto
• The impact of austerity measures on youth health
• Feminist advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)

From the Ground: Reflections from the Colour Walk

Youth shared heartfelt insights throughout the day. Here’s what stood out:

“The Metro Police were so visible and kind—it made us feel safe.”
— Participant from Johannesburg

“After testing, I received a dignity pack—it felt like someone cared about me.”
— Teen girl from Mamelodi

“Being mentored by one of the talent show judges was a re-affirmation of my calling.”
— Solo performer from Orange Farm

From colour explosions to mic drops, this walk was personal, affirming, and unforgettable.

What Happens After the Walk?

The walk may end, but the work continues. Organisations return to their respective mandates, yet their commitment to collaboration remains. The next milestone? The Shaw Mphahlele Empowerment Summit on June 21st another opportunity to empower and mobilise the youth of Mamelodi.

Your Turn: How You Can Support Youth Health Rights

Supporting youth health isn’t complicated. Here’s how you can start:

• Take care of your own health and encourage others to do the same
• Advocate for preventative health and SRHR in your community
• Destigmatise conversations around HIV, contraception, and gender identity
• Support and elevate youth-led initiatives and voices

Join us in turning colour into commitment. Because a healthier and safer Mamelodi begins with showing up—and never backing down.