In honour of Youth Month, the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) proudly presents the Beyond 76 Series: Youth Knowledge in Motion. This series celebrates the bold research, critical thought, and visionary work of Master’s and Doctoral graduates under the age of 35. These dynamic young scholars are reshaping South Africa and the continent through transformative ideas and scholarship. Their work echoes the courage of the youth of 1976 and carries forward a legacy of change, justice, and economic emancipation. Join us as we spotlight the next generation of changemakers in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

1. In 2025, what does Youth Month mean to you — personally, academically, or as a young South African?

Youth Month in 2025 serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, courage, and transformative potential of South Africa’s youth. Personally, it is a time of reflection on the sacrifices made by past generations, particularly the 1976 youth who demanded a just education system, and on how I, as a young South African, can honour their legacy through critical engagement, leadership, and community upliftment.

Academically, Youth Month urges me to rethink how education, knowledge production, and cultural expression can serve as tools for empowerment. As a scholar in the humanities and social sciences, I see Youth Month not only as a commemoration, but as a call to action: to centre youth voices, challenge systemic inequalities, and contribute to decolonial knowledge that speaks to our lived realities.

2. What impact do you hope your NIHSS supported research will have on society or your field?

My NIHSS-supported PhD research on an African language aims to contribute meaningfully to the preservation, revitalisation, and elevation of indigenous languages within both academic and societal spaces. At a time when many African languages face marginalisation and erosion, my study seeks to foreground their richness, complexity, and relevance linguistically, culturally, and intellectually.

In society, I hope my research will inspire pride in linguistic heritage, especially among youth, by highlighting African languages as carriers of identity and worldview. I also aim to inform language policy and education so that indigenous languages are more fully integrated into schools and public discourse. Academically, my work supports the decolonial turn in linguistics by challenging Eurocentric models and promoting African-centred approaches to language study.