Reimagining the power of youth
“It feels good to be a champion. When we’re together, we feel safe and grow stronger, learning how to care for ourselves, our environment, each other, and the places we call home.” – Owami, 2025. (Changemaker)
The word changemaker has become a buzzword, one floating around, trending in conversations. But in Kanyamazane, the youth are giving it real meaning. They are redefining what it means to be a changemaker, saying it with grit, confidence and purpose.
In Mpumalanga province lies Kanyamazane, a vibrant community, pulsing with potential. It is a space of resilience, home to five high schools and hundreds of young people brimming with ideas. Here, Ranyaka, in partnership with masifunde, is nurturing this potential through the masifunde Changemaker Network (MCN) project, a powerful reminder that transformation begins in classrooms, with conversations and courageous ideas.
NOVEMBER 2023: REPRESENTATIVES FROM SELECT PARTNER ORGANISATIONS COME TOGETHER WITH RANYAKA FOR THE MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKERS PROGRAMME TRAINING IN GQEBERHA.
9 FEBRUARY 2024: ACTIVATION OF THE PROGRAMME ACROSS FIVE SELECTED SCHOOLS WITH GRADE 9 STUDENTS, INCLUDING KHALIPANI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KANYAMAZANE.
Planting seeds of Change
Rooted in a peer-to-peer learning model, the MCN mobilises young leaders to tackle pressing social issues through advocacy and awareness campaigns. Guided by the call to action, “Why not you? Why not now?”, the message packs a punch, telling us, the time for change is today, and it begins with you.
Since its inception, the MCN project has reached over 200 schools and 1 000 changemakers across South Africa. These young changemakers have taken ownership of conversations around school safety, gender-based violence, environmental awareness and community well-being, leading initiatives that turn awareness into tangible impact. “We value the opportunity to partner with masifunde as they bring their expertise and these critical discussions into some of the schools where we are running our Strong Schools programme,” says Ranyaka Programme Manager, Kgautsang Molelekeng.
“It’s teaching us to help people gain the skills and experiences they’ll need to tackle climate challenges in the future.” – Precious, 2025. (Changemaker)
CHANGEMAKERS FROM KHALIPANI SECONDARY SCHOOL.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MELOKUHLE MASHEGO, THUBELIHLE SHIBA, TEMLANDVO MPANZA, MAKHOSAZANE GULE.
Changemakers in the classroom
In Kanyamazane, Ranyaka has implemented the programme across five high schools, mentoring 25 learners since February 2024. Ranyaka’s local coordinator in Kanyamazane, Khumbulani Khumalo, received training from masifunde to facilitate the project in the township. Born and raised in the same community, has walked alongside them from the very beginning. “We started when they were between 13 and 14 years old,” she recalls. “Now they’re 15 to 17, confident, and passionate about change. Watching them grow and use what they’ve learned has been one of the most rewarding experiences.”
Each week, these learners gather for one class period, a small but sacred space where ideas take root and flourish into action. Tackling complex discussions, they are learning to question, to advocate, and to empower not just themselves, but their peers too.
MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKERS WITH THE RANYAKA TEAM AT ZB KUNDENE SECONDARY SCHOOL DURING A PHOTO SESSION.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: KGAUTSANG MOLELEKENG (RANYAKA PROGRAMME MANAGER), NOMFUNDO MLANGENI (RANYAKA LOCAL COORDINATOR), KHUMBULANI KHUMALO, PRECIOUS DLAMINI, LESEGO MASETHE (RANYAKA MARKETING DIRECTOR), GUGULETHU GULE, OLWETHU MASANGO.
17 SEPTEMBER 2024: MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKERS FROM LEKAZI CENTRAL SECONDARY SCHOOL.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: KGAUTSANG MOLELEKENG (RANYAKA PROGRAMME MANAGER), OWAMI LANGA, LESEGO MASETHE (RANYAKA MARKETING DIRECTOR), BROONET MESUME, KHIMBULANI KHUMALO, PEACE X, THALITHA SENGWAYO, LUSANDA ZULU, AND PHILASANDE MOKEONA.
When partnerships come alive
The MCN project was inspired by the Youth for Safer Communities initiative. Its strength lies in partnership. masifunde provides the national framework, curriculum, and mentorship model, while Ranyaka brings its expertise in local experience, relationships, and cultural context to the table.
“Collaboration has connected like-minded changemakers, expanding our reach beyond what we could have envisioned ourselves,” says Kgautsang.
Through these partnerships, Ranyaka and masifunde have built bridges with schools, parents, and community stakeholders. Even where there was initial hesitation, patience, persistence and sometimes as simple as sharing a cool drink or snacks over conversation opened doors to trust and understanding.
SEPTEMBER 2024: CHANGEMAKERS FROM KHALIPHANI SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH RANYAKA TEAM MEMBERS.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MELOKUHLE MASHEGO, THUBELIHLE SHIBA, TEMLANDVO MPANZA, NOMAKHOSAZANE GULE, KGAUTSANG MOLELEKENG (RANYAKA PROGRAMME MANAGER). FRONT: KHUMBULANI KHUMALO (LOCAL COORDINATOR) IN THE BACK CENTRE IS LESEGO MASETHE (RANYAKA MARKETING DIRECTOR)
Every voice counts
For Kgautsang, the real impact lies in the subtle transformations. “I’ve seen a shy learner at the back of the class stand up and speak with confidence, using their voices for good and inspiring others to step outside of their comfort zones. Changemakers have now been trained to be eco-champions!”
This heartbeat of the programme – every voice counts – was echoed powerfully at the SPARK Change Youth Summit 2025 held in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape in October. Two changemakers from Kanyamazane, Owami and Blessing, proudly joined the summit, where young eco-champions from across South Africa came together to shape solutions for a sustainable future.
Hosted by masifunde in partnership with the TUI Care Foundation and the Department of Education, the summit brought together more than 100 high school learners and 40 partner organisations for three days of learning, collaboration, and action. Our eco-champions from Kanyamazane showcased their community projects, learned from environmental experts, and helped craft a shared Vision 2030 for a greener, more resilient South Africa.
“It was an amazing experience,” says Khumbulani. “They represented Mpumalanga and Ranyaka with such confidence. I was proud.”
JULY 2024: CHANGEMAKERS FROM LEKAZI CENTRAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WORK ON THEIR FIRST CAMPAIGN WITH A FOCUS ON SCHOOL SAFETY.
Why not you? Why not now? Spark change today!
For the Ranyaka team implementing the project, this slogan isn’t just a campaign phrase; it’s a daily reminder. “It encourages me to be a good person, to be kind to others. These young people are like my own children. They inspire me to show up every day,” says Khumbulani.
Looking ahead, Ranyaka and masifunde hope that by 2026, this first group of changemakers will begin mentoring the next generation of Grade 9 learners, ensuring that the cycle of empowerment continues.
The changemakers journey shows that one small act of courage, one voice that dares to speak, one idea that grows in collective action, can shift communities. From a humble classroom in Kanyamazane, to summits across the country, these young leaders remind us that the future isn’t something we wait for… it’s something we create together. So, how will your changemaker journey impact our future?
SEPTEMBER 2024: CHANGEMAKERS FROM THEMBELA SECONDARY SCHOOL PREPARE THEIR GBV CAMPAIGN.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SIYANDA SHONGWE AND LUYANDA MLOTSWA.
Thank you to masifunde and their funders, TUI Care Foundation and the Department of Education, for making this initiative possible. Thank you also to Nedbank who, through the Proud of my Town programme, co-sponsored Ranyaka’s involvement in the roll-out of the project.
ZB KUNENE SECONDARY SCHOOL, DURING A GBV CAMPAIGN PLANNING WORKSHOP.
The MCN project falls under Ranyaka’s Strong Schools programme, one of ten that Ranyaka has been rolling out across South Africa under the umbrella of the Nedbank-funded Proud of My Town programme.
Images: Various photographers
CHANGEMAKERS AT THE GBV PLANNING WORKSHOP.
SEPTEMBER 2024: LUSANDA ZULU AND PEACE X DURING A PHOTO SESSION.
A DISCUSSION BETWEEN CHANGEMAKERS AT THEMBEKA SECONDARY SCHOOL ABOUT THE SPARK MAGAZINE.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JABULO MONA AND SIYANDA SHONGWE
TWO CHANGEMAKERS FROM ZB KUNENE SECONDARY SCHOOL.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: GUGULETHU GULE, OLWETHU MASANGO.
JULY 2025: CHANGEMAKER THUBELIHLE SHIBA WORKING ON A VERTICAL GARDEN AS PART OF HIS TEAM’S THIRD CAMPAIGN AT KHALIPANI SECONDARY SCHOOL, PROMOTING CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY.
25 JULY 2025: LEARNERS AT LEKAZI CENTRAL SECONDARY SCHOOL PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN AS PART OF A CHANGEMAKERS CAMPAIGN ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY.
8 OCTOBER 2025: CHANGEMAKERS OWMANI LANGA AND BLESSING KHUNOU ARRIVE AT THE SPARK CHANGE ECO YOUTH SUMMIT 2025 IN NELSON MANDELA BAY WITH KHUMBULANI KHUMALO (LOCAL COORDINATOR AND FACILITATOR).
9 OCTOBER 2025: A MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKER SHOWCASES THEIR WORK AT THE NATIONAL SUMMIT.
9 OCTOBER 2025: ANOTHER MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKER SHOWCASING THEIR WORK AT THE NATIONAL SUMMIT.
8 OCTOBER 2025: MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKERS DURING A WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE NATIONAL SUMMIT.
8 OCTOBER 2025: MASIFUNDE CHANGEMAKERS DURING A GROUP WORKSHOP.
