The 50th instalment of Youth Day June 1976 Soweto student uprisings couldn’t have arrived at a better tune at the ‘’AI For Good’’ event that sought to bring light to learners from 5 Schools to participate in an empowering technologically infused AI hackathons at the Mdelwa Hlongwane Primary school in Pimville, Soweto. Sponsored mainly by Fashion World, GDG, Usfl. Stoep, Liberation Hub, AI foe Good, the event brought together dignitaries, teachers, technology fundis and community members to empower learners giving away gadgets and goodies to bring about the spirit of learning, fun and hope to our aspirant youth.
The introductory theme to the event developed as learners from participating schools namely; Diepdale Secondary, Namedi Secondary, Musi High, Fidelitas High and Madibane High were given the opportunity as Bongani Nkomo from GDG (Google Developer Groups) addressed the learners as to how AI applies to their immediate lives and their responses on the platform on how they perceive its functionality as a resource base.
Yazeed Osman, Co-founder of Liberation Hub and Managing partner of Usfl. Stoep compered the day’s programme relaying how his company makes use of digital technology to all his companies’ solutions and stated that, “this day we channel the youth to acquire the ability to achieve the applicable solutions. “Today the world needs solutions from Africans. Our local mandate is to foster technological contributions, empowerment, support, with enabling AI tools to bring innovative practical ideas for success within communities.”
Osman further mentioned that, “when all of society works together with young people, we grow beyond celebration and we build lasting change.” During the workshops, teams gathered in groups of 5 classes from each school selected and taught by experts to identify problems and build solutions using AI, boosting each learner’s all-round skills and ultimately present their concepts later in the day.
Keynote speaker and former Statistician General, Dr Pali Lehohla took to podium and highlighted the conversations that present themselves as data collection over the years in our immediate communities. “The data collected constitutes our understanding of our world around us. The question is, what are we handing over to the generation of 1976? Dr Lehohla expanded on the concept by letting the learners interactively participate in evaluating data progression ratios of the nation’s community demographics and development making use of presentation slides. This is how the youth can take hold of the economic future of our country through data, data-science and AI.
“AI is the people’s system as it uses the people’s data and all contributions. So, to use this kind of information system as an individual to exclude those who have built the IP from Stone Age is an injustice as it is fundamentally archaic and backward. AI is an environment of plenty and by trying to keep it to yourself, you hold up social progress. The communities at schools at churches and many spheres of society must make use of the power of their own information and mobilize themselves as stakeholders for productive ends. Students of today must fight with knowledge and build from such!” Mentioned Dr Pali.
Representing Fashion World Yacoub Maboga mentioned that the day is about celebrating the potential of the youth of today, as frontliners of the forthcoming generations. Maboga mentioned that his company remains close to communities and “through ‘Local is Enough Campaign’ we have demonstrated the support of communities more than we provide the products that we sell! It is about giving back to our communities therefore we must never forget our humble beginnings tomorrow as we collectively gain success. We use AI in business and on personal capacities and we’re here to support our learners. Most of the great achievers worldwide started with the ‘what if’ question” Enthused Maboga.
The workshops yielded much fruit as learners equipped with skills from the training, confidently presented amazing AI solutions concepts in resolving problems that affects their communities, making the judges adjudication difficult but at the end Diepdale Secondary took the number 1 spot with much loud cheering and ovation from the audience. The learners received MacBook computers for each of their respective schools including the host primary school. To place the cherry on top, a quiz on the information shared during the event, saw some bright learners walk away with more prizes. Finaly towards the end all attendees were treated with goodies packs courtesy of Fashion World wrapping up a truly uplifting memorable Youth Day of 2026.
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
