South African youth, through Radio Workshop, turn up the volume on mental health with powerful stories that challenge stigma and ensure every voice is heard. Here are a few of their stories.
“I’ve been looking for words to describe how I’ve been feeling lately… I came across this word, tumultuous. It’s T-U-M-U-L-T-U-O-U S”
At just 17 years old, Nonhlanhla Mashabana is facing one of the biggest challenges of her life: getting into university. A top achiever at her high school, she has spent countless hours studying, hoping to defy the odds in a country where only 12 percent students who start Grade 1 make it to university and even fewer graduate.
Growing up in Ezinambeni, an informal settlement in eMalahleni, Nonhlanhla knows firsthand the struggles of navigating an unequal education system. Through she was a national spelling bee champion, she was forced to quit competing to focus on her studies, university applications, and applying for scholarships. During moments of fear and uncertainty, she turns to her secret weapon for comfort, the dictionary.
In “Finding the Right Words,” a three-month audio diary produced by Radio Workshop, she shares an intimate look at the emotional and systemic challenges young South Africans face. As she prepares for the next chapter, her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination needed to push through barriers to pursue a future that often feels just out of reach.
