

Following the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 12 February, youth voices across Southern Africa are rising in solidarity to demand accountability, justice, and regional cooperation. One of our own, Rorisang Makoae, a dedicated participant in the Feminist leadership and Activism centre (FLAC ) Fellow from Lesotho, has highlighted urgent issues affecting regional migrants and healthcare systems in South Africa.
Recently, learners at Shadrack Mbambo Primary School in Ekurhuleni, JHB, demonstrated what empathy, responsibility, and courage truly look like when they rescued an injured bird found on their school grounds. What started as an ordinary school morning quickly became a powerful lesson in compassion and collective action.
Language matters especially when it comes to health, dignity, and human rights. This Reproductive Health Month and beyond, we’re encouraging everyone to move away from outdated and harmful terminology and adopt language that is inclusive, accurate, and empowering.
Health is more than the absence of illness it’s about creating an environment where every person, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or background, can access care without fear of judgment or discrimination.
For a long time, the male condom has been the main character when it comes to protection. It’s everywhere from schools to clinics and we all grew up knowing it as the go-to method for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Then came the female condom.
When we think about the impact of youth programmes, the best measure isn’t just in events held or numbers reached it’s in the lives transformed.
The female/ condom also known as the Femidom or internal condom is one of those inventions that doesn’t get the hype it deserves. It’s like that underrated character in your favourite series: full of potential, flexible, and game-changing, yet overlooked because it’s not the “endgame ship.”
