AHF South Africa Marks Youth Day with Tribute to Young Leader’s Resilience

As South Africa commemorated Youth Day, a date forever etched in the nation’s history for the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) highlights the resilience and leadership of today’s youth – and none more so than 17-year-old Andiswa Sithole from uMlazi C Section, KwaZulu-Natal. 

Youth Day marks more than remembrance. It’s a call to recognise the young leaders shaping our future - young people like Andiswa, whose journey from hardship to hope encapsulates the spirit of perseverance, leadership, and transformation that Youth Day embodies. 

This year, AHF observed Day of the African Child under the theme " Be the HERO of your health". Day of the African Child coincides with South Africa's Youth Day, marking the power of young people to drive change in the midst of hardship. For South African youth, participating in advocacy and being empowered to strive for change in their communities is at the heart of National Youth Month, AHF through its Girls ACT encourages participation in policy transformation activities especially around health and education. The Girls Act Program falls within pillars of keeping adolescent girls like Andiswa empowered to be the hero of their health, to stay in school and reach their academic potential and to rise above their realities.

Raised in a modest two-room home by her single mother alongside two siblings, Andiswa grew up watching her mother navigate periods of unemployment and rely on social grants to make ends meet. Yet those challenges didn’t deter her - they fuelled her. As the eldest of three and a Grade 12 learner at Swelihle Secondary School, Andiswa is determined to pursue a career in supply chain and maritime studies, inspired by a desire to explore the world and contribute to the global economy. 

Since joining AHF South Africa’s Girls Act programme in 2020, Andiswa has emerged as a confident leader, academic achiever, and education activist. Initially selected for the programme based on her disadvantaged background, she has not only transformed her own life, but also become a pillar of support and inspiration for others. 

Andiswa now serves on her school’s Representative Council of Learners (RCL) and plays a leading role in advocacy initiatives, from menstrual health awareness and HIV prevention to organising campaigns for Youth Day and International Day of the Girl Child. Her peers often turn to her for mentorship and academic support, particularly those struggling with schoolwork - a responsibility she carries with quiet pride and a fierce commitment to progress. 

“With every decision you make, don’t cross your values, and always put yourself first,” says Andiswa Sithole, reflecting on the personal principles that continue to guide her growth as a young leader.

AHF launched the Girls Act across Africa in 2016 to curb new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women and ensure they remain in care, on treatment (if living with HIV), and in school. In South Africa, where young women remain disproportionately affected by HIV and other socio-economic vulnerabilities, the programme addresses not only healthcare needs but also empowers participants with leadership and life skills. 

“Andiswa’s story is inspirational and one of hope for every girl growing up under challenging circumstances. Through her courage and drive, she reminds us of the extraordinary potential that lies within South Africa’s youth – and why we must continue investing in them,” says Ngaa Murombedzi, AHF Regional Advocacy and Policy Manager for Southern Africa. 

AHF has operated in South Africa since 2002, providing free HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services through clinics and outreach programmes. Girls Act is a cornerstone of this work – reaching thousands of girls like Andiswa with education, mentorship, and the tools to thrive. 

This Youth Day 2025, AHF celebrated young people like Andiswa, who rise above their circumstances, lead with integrity, and inspire change. In honouring her journey, we recognise the enduring power of youth to shape a healthier, more equitable South Africa, and a future where no girl is left behind.