Real change starts with young people

About our Youth Program

The voices of children and adolescents is a cornerstone of the work we do in shaping our mental health strategies.

At CAMHI our motto is:

Their Voices. Our Future.

Who is involved: 11 youth council members

Where: Online

We established the Youth Council to be a nationally representative body of young leaders who can elevate youth voices in the youth mental health space and allow for meaningful, sustainable, and structured engagement across the SNF Global Center initiatives in South Africa in ways that truly reflects their lived experiences and needs. Our Youth Council brings together young people with diverse identities, backgrounds and lived experiences, providing critical insight into how factors such as gender, race, poverty and stigma shape youth mental health across South Africa.

The Youth Council includes young people from South Africa’s nine provinces, each bringing with them a shared commitment to community empowerment and action. Members include youth who have founded mental health-focused nonprofits, led local podcasts and community radio stations, and actively contributed to the efforts of our partner organisations. Their diverse voices reflect the richness and strength of youth leadership in community mental health spaces in South Africa.

Who is involved: 11 youth council members

Where: Online

When: Every 2 weeks

What they do

Advising and co-designing localised engagement strategies.

Co-create a learning journey in bi-weekly dialogue sessions.

Provide feedback on our CAMHI Mental Health Awareness Short Guides for adolescents, caregivers, teachers, and clinicians.

Participate in workshops, focus groups, annual expert gatherings, and co-construction sessions with our initiative leads and partner organisations.

Build leadership capacity through mental health literacy and skills development training.

Represent South African youth at national and global events. Recently, members have joined global dialogues with youth in Brazil and Greece.

Join the Youth Council

Not ready to apply yet?

There are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Join a youth focus group
Share your voice on our Youth Blog
Contribute to our social media channels

Are you between the ages of 18 and 24 and passionate about youth mental health?

Each year, we invite young people from across South Africa to join our youth council.

Interested in joining the second Youth Council cohort? Register now for a chance to be considered. Bring your voice, build your skills, and create meaningful change in your community.

Cohort 1 Youth Council members

Sikelela Rollom, 23, Eastern Cape

Sikelela is also an SNF Global Center Junior Communicator Fellow in partnership with Radio Workshop, is passionate about reducing stigma and making sure young people know they are not alone and can access help.

Tumelo Kgoloko, Limpopo

Tumelo is an aspiring educator from Mohlaletse village, dedicated to supporting both the academic and emotional well-being of learners, with a belief that mental health is the foundation for growth and success.

Yollande Chikudju, 24, Gauteng

My journey into mental health advocacy began with my own struggles of feeling isolated and silenced. Today, I’m passionate about using storytelling and youth-focused programs to break stigma, spark open conversations, and empower young people to embrace their voices and take charge of their mental health.

Hircill Ngoie, 24, Western Cape

Hircill is a devoted community leader, using his experience as an SNF Youth Council member, The Sozo Foundation and School of Hard Knocks employee to mentor and guide learners in order to create safe, supportive spaces where youth can thrive despite challenges.

Wendy Ngcobo, 24, KwaZulu-Natal

Wendy, is a mental health advocate working to raise awareness and open meaningful conversations about mental health.

Thato David Mkansi, 21, Gauteng

Thato, also an SNF Global Center Junior Communicator Fellow in partnership with Radio Workshop, is a youth leader, radio broadcaster, and founder of the InnerRise Foundation using radio and community programs to spark conversations on mental health, challenge stigma, and empower young people to build resilience and believe in their potential.

Delice Lumbu, 21, Western Cape

Delice, is our SNF Global Center Director of Youth Engagement. Delice, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has used her experiences with bullying, anxiety, and identity struggles to speak out against stigma and support young people. Now, as a youth coach, she is committed to creating safe spaces where youth can build resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.

Jennifer Matibi, 24, Gauteng

Jennifer, founded Nirvana to support young women in her community and, through her work strives to ensure that voices from overlooked communities are heard and represented.

Venesa Modise, 27, Potchefstroom

Venesa is a Youth Facilitator, Researcher, Child and Youth Mental Health Advocate, and Community Development Activist. Her work focuses on creating meaningful spaces for young people to share their experiences, participate in conversations that affect their lives, and access opportunities for growth and development.

Kayla Coetzer, 23, Western Cape

Kaylas passion for mental health grew through years of community service and psychology studies. Through work with LifeLine and other organizations, Kayla has witnessed the urgent need for accessible, culturally relevant care and is committed to creating interventions that reduce stigma and reflect the realities of South African communities.

Tinyiko Mathe, 20, Mpumalanga

Tinyiko, is a youth reporter who uses storytelling to create safe spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and supported

Youth Council Gallery

Key Achievements

Key Achievements of Cohort 1 of the South African Youth Council

Contributed to Global Center research

Council members provided youth perspectives through research consultations, focus groups, surveys, and feedback on tools including LUMI (Library of Universal Mental Health Instruments).

Represented South African youth globally

Kayla and Jennifer joined the Global Youth Advisory Council (GYAC), representing South Africa and contributing to cross-cultural conversations on youth mental health, they also represented the South African youth perspective in SNF Nostos 2026 in Greece and contributed to a debate on the digital dilemma.

Contributed to the Global Center's Expert Gathering

The Council helped shape the planning and content of the first annual Expert Gathering in Cape Town South Africa 2025, bringing youth perspectives into discussions with experts and stakeholders.

Youth Unemployment Project

The Council designed and developed a youth-led project exploring the connection between youth unemployment and mental health in South Africa, with outputs including a mini-video, podcast, and practical resource guide.

Meet our Fellows

Alongside the Youth Council, we also collaborate with SNF Global Center Communicator Fellows in South Africa, young communicators using media to spark conversations and inspire change.

Mary-Ann Nobele, 26, Gauteng

I am a storyteller and mental health advocate with over a decade of experience in radio and podcasting. In 2022, I became the voice of I Will Not Grow Old Here, a podcast about my life and dreams beyond Alexandra, which earned global recognition, including a 2023 Ambies nomination and a One World Media Award. I am an SNF Global Center Senior Communicator Fellow in partnership with Radio Workshop, I now work as Program Coordinator, using storytelling to amplify youth voices and drive conversations on mental health.

Naomi Grewan, 26, Johannesburg

I am an audio producer based in South Africa, with roots in theatre, where I worked with an educational theatre group in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After studying journalism and political studies back home, I became the communications manager and a producer at Radio Workshop. I have produced audio documentaries on climate change, LGBTQI+ rights, mental health, and civic participation, and I continue to tell stories that elevate these themes. I am an SNF Global Center Senior Communicator Fellow in partnership with Radio Workshop.

Curtis Mkhize, 25, KwaZulu-Natal

I am a dedicated advocate for adolescent mental health and a facilitator of youth programs. My passion for advocacy comes from personal experience growing up with a mother living with mental illness, which inspired me to share my journey and empower others. Through my work with Vibe FM and other organisations, I create impactful content, lead conversations around mental health, and engage local communities to foster awareness and reduce stigma. I am an SNF Global Center Junior Communicator Fellow in partnership with Radio Workshop.

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