Youth of Pretoria Gather in Faith and Courage to Commemorate Youth Day 2026

By Fr. Mathibela Sebothoma

BRONKHORSTSPRUIT, GAUTENG – 16 June 2026

Hundreds of young Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Pretoria, accompanied by priests, religious sisters, religious brothers, youth leaders, catechists, and adult supporters, gathered at Sizanani Conference Centre in Bronkhorstspruit on 16 June 2026 to commemorate Youth Day and honour the memory of the courageous young people whose sacrifice during the 1976 Soweto Uprising altered the course of South African history.

The gathering was more than an annual Youth Day celebration. It was a profound encounter of faith, remembrance, discipleship, and hope. It united young people from different deaneries, backgrounds, languages, cultures, and social circumstances under one theme inspired by the words of Christ:

"Take Courage; I Have Overcome the World" (John 16:33).

The day provided an opportunity for the Church to remember the legacy of the youth of 1976 while reflecting on the realities and challenges facing young people in South Africa fifty years later.

Remembering the Legacy of June 16, 1976

The Youth Day commemoration took place during the Golden Jubilee Year of the historic June 16 student protests that erupted in Soweto in 1976.

The uprising began when black schoolchildren protested against the apartheid government's policy of imposing Afrikaans as a compulsory medium of instruction through the Bantu Education system. What started in Soweto quickly spread throughout townships and villages across South Africa.

The peaceful protest was met with brutal force by the apartheid police. Hundreds of young people lost their lives and many more were injured. Their courage exposed the cruelty of apartheid to the world and became a decisive turning point in the struggle for freedom and human dignity in South Africa.

Today, June 16 is commemorated as Youth Day, a public holiday dedicated to honouring the sacrifices of those young heroes while celebrating the contribution of young people to society.

As the Church gathered in Bronkhorstspruit fifty years after those events, participants reflected on how every generation faces its own challenges and how faith continues to offer hope and direction.

A Synodal Gathering of the Young Church

The celebration began with Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Dabula Anthony Mpako, joined by approximately twenty-five priests from across the Archdiocese of Pretoria. Also present were religious sisters and brothers actively involved in youth ministry.

The Eucharistic celebration highlighted the Church's commitment to accompanying young people and walking together in the spirit of synodality.

The homily was delivered by Auxiliary Bishop Masilo John Selemela, who reminded the youth that the Church is called to journey together, listening to one another and learning from one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Addressing the young people, Bishop Selemela said:

"Dear friends, today is a special day. We gather here to experience the synodal way as we participate in the mission of the Church through sharing our faith, listening to one another and learning from one another. We gather to share our time, our gifts and our talents. No one must feel excluded or outside as we walk side by side like the disciples of Emmaus."

Drawing from the Gospel's missionary mandate, he reflected on Jesus' command to His disciples after the Resurrection:

"Go and make disciples of all nations."

He noted that young people often live with many questions, doubts, fears, uncertainties, and struggles. Yet behind those questions lies a deeper search for truth, belonging, identity, authentic faith, and purpose.

Bishop Selemela acknowledged the modern world's dependence on technology and instant information but reminded the youth that not all answers can be found through artificial intelligence or digital platforms.

"When AI has failed to give us instant answers to every question of the human heart, we all know that the truth is to surrender to Jesus who has answers to our deepest longings."

He challenged the young people to listen attentively to the voice of Christ amid the many competing voices of contemporary culture:

"You will hear many voices, but the one you should listen to is this one: Go."

Becoming the Good News

Reflecting further on the Great Commission, Bishop Selemela stressed that evangelisation begins with personal witness.

Before Christians can share the Good News, they must themselves become good news to others.

He reminded the youth that discipleship is not merely about preaching but about living lives that reflect Christ's love, holiness, humility, and truth.

The Bishop pointed to the saints as authentic role models in a world where many young people struggle to find examples worthy of imitation.

The saints, he explained, are not distant historical figures but living testimonies whose courage, sacrifices, and faith continue to inspire generations of believers.

Their witness reveals what it means to follow Christ with:

"One Heart, One Mind, One Spirit, With One Vision."

The Call to Inclusivity and Mission

A central theme of the Bishop's message was inclusivity.

He reminded the assembly that Jesus commissioned His disciples to make disciples of all nations, emphasizing the universal nature of God's love.

The Gospel calls believers to become bridge-builders in a divided world, reaching beyond cultural, social, and ideological barriers.

He challenged the youth to imagine the transformation that would occur if every Christian took seriously the call to share Christ's message of peace, reconciliation, and salvation.

The command to "go" requires movement beyond comfort zones and demands active engagement with the world.

The Bishop also emphasised the importance of knowing God personally. Authentic knowledge of God, he explained, must be reflected in daily actions.

One cannot claim to know a loving God while living in selfishness, division, or indifference.

Quoting Isaiah 49:6, he reminded the youth that God calls His people to be:

"A light for the nations."

In an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world, Christians are challenged to bring Christ's light into every sphere of life.

Catechetical Sessions Inspired by "The Pope Answers"

Following Mass, the programme continued with three concurrent catechetical sessions inspired by the format and spirit of The Pope Answers.

These sessions became one of the most significant and memorable features of the day.

The purpose was to create safe and honest spaces where young people could ask questions, express doubts, share concerns, and engage openly with Church leaders.

The discussions focused on contemporary challenges facing young people and addressed themes such as:

• Identity and self-worth
• Mental and emotional wellbeing
• Social media pressures
• Family life
• Friendships and relationships
• Faith and discipleship
• Peer pressure
• Belonging and acceptance
• Moral decision-making
• Living as a Christian in a rapidly changing world

Among the questions posed were:

• "Who am I? Finding Identity in Christ."
• "Why do so many young people feel pressured to become someone else just to fit in?"
• "How do we know our worth when the world judges us by appearance, popularity, and mistakes?"
• "What does it actually mean to follow Christ as a teenager today?"

The panel of respondents consisted of:

• Archbishop Dabula Anthony Mpako
• Bishop Masilo John Selemela
• Fr Chris Townsend, Chancellor of the Archdiocese

The interactive nature of the sessions encouraged young people to participate openly and honestly.

Questions ranged from practical and social concerns to deep theological inquiries.

Some asked how to remain faithful amid modern temptations and societal pressures.

Others explored doctrinal questions such as:

• How Jesus can be both the Son of God and God Himself.
• The mystery of the Holy Trinity.
• The nature of heaven and hell.
• The relationship between faith and science.

The discussions demonstrated the intellectual curiosity and spiritual hunger present among the youth of the Archdiocese.

A Living Church Filled with Young People

Reflecting on the day, Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain Fr Tshepang Vesto Dithipe described the gathering as a powerful experience of the young Church alive in faith.

He said:

"The event was great. Gathering as the young Church of Pretoria is always a wonderful experience. Their presence reminds us that the Church is alive."

He spoke of the joy of seeing young people interacting with priests and Church leaders, taking photographs, creating videos, sharing experiences online, and expressing their talents.

According to Fr Dithipe, one of the most remarkable aspects of the celebration was the enthusiasm displayed during the catechetical sessions.

He noted that many young people asked profound questions that reflected both theological curiosity and practical concerns about living faithfully in today's world.

He also expressed gratitude to the various deanery commissions, the diocesan structures, and especially the youth themselves whose dedication and sacrifices made the event possible.

Special recognition was given to Sister Lebogang Matjeke HCP, coordinator of youth ministry in the Archdiocese, for her tireless work behind the scenes.

Nine Days of Spiritual Preparation

The celebration did not begin on 16 June.

In preparation, young people participated in a nine-day novena dedicated to praying for the youth of South Africa.

The novena invited participants into a deeper encounter with Christ through:

• Scripture reflection
• Daily prayer
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Discernment
• Reflection on contemporary challenges
• Openness to the Holy Spirit

Each day focused on a specific intention and encouraged the youth to deepen their relationship with Christ while praying for their peers throughout the country.

Unity Across Deaneries

Sister Lebogang Matjeke HCP, who coordinated the entire event, expressed immense gratitude and joy at the outcome.

One concern during planning was attendance.

Because Bronkhorstspruit is geographically distant from many communities within the Archdiocese, organisers feared that participation might be low.

Instead, the response exceeded expectations.

The conference hall was filled to capacity as young people responded enthusiastically to the invitation.

For Sister Lebogang, the greatest success was not merely the numbers but the spirit of unity that characterised the entire event.

She reflected on how young people from different deaneries worked together throughout the planning process, taking ownership of responsibilities and supporting one another.

She noted how participants encouraged each other to visit the Adoration Room, the Hope Room, Eucharistic displays, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Young people were not merely consumers of the programme; they became active evangelisers of one another.

The programme itself was intentionally designed to accommodate different personalities and spiritual needs.

Whether introverted or extroverted, every participant could find meaningful opportunities for prayer, discussion, reflection, learning, or fellowship.

Sister Lebogang also highlighted the extraordinary engagement witnessed during the catechetical sessions.

The allocated time proved insufficient because young people continued asking questions and seeking deeper understanding.

What had initially been planned as shorter sessions eventually extended to approximately ninety minutes because of the high level of participation.

The Youth of 1976 and the Youth of 2026

The commemoration offered an opportunity to reflect on the different realities facing successive generations.

The youth of 1976 confronted the brutality of apartheid and faced bullets, arrests, imprisonment, and death.

The youth of 2026 face different battles.

Many struggle with identity crises, mental health challenges, loneliness, social media pressures, substance abuse, unemployment, violence, broken families, moral confusion, and spiritual uncertainty.

While the challenges may differ, they remain no less real.

The Church's response is rooted in the same Gospel that sustained previous generations.

The words chosen as the theme for the day continue to resonate powerfully:

"Take Courage; I Have Overcome the World" (John 16:33).

Those words remind young people that they are not alone in their struggles.

Christ walks with them.

Christ strengthens them.

Christ calls them.

And Christ sends them forth to become disciples who transform the world.

As the celebration concluded and participants returned to their homes across the Archdiocese, the message remained clear:

The youth are not merely the future of the Church.

They are the Church of today.

And the Church of Pretoria remains alive, hopeful, courageous, and missionary because of them.