Shining a light on the youth

Karabo Khoarai, 20, Diploma in Nursing

June 16 is a day that symbolises how we can achieve the high standards we set ourselves. I also hope it reminds people that the youth of South Africa deserve to be taken seriously and afforded more opportunities.

I’d really like to see more youngsters filling different roles in the medical industry. I’m thriving on the challenges of my studies – and enjoy learning more about myself and my ability to be compassionate and patient.

I was very close to my late grandfather and he inspired me to enter a healing profession. He went for dialysis every week and I was the one in the family who took care of him. His illness made me very curious about health and wellness.

After completing a community healthcare course, I was accepted as a Mediclinic nursing student this year. I’m loving it! My course gives me a sense of purpose, which I’d like other youngsters to feel too.

Kayleigh Mc Ardle, 18, ER24 Higher Certificate: Emergency Medical Care

By your actions and words, you can inspire others – both young and old.

As young people, we have the luxury of exploring different avenues, but we also have a responsibility to ourselves to make our dreams come true. My mom is the Unit Manager of Orthopaedic Ward at Mediclinic Welkom and as children, we stayed overnight at the hospital crêche when she worked night shift.

Over the years, I saw my mom helping people and realised I wanted to make a difference too. One of my aunts is mentally challenged and I was always helping her with bandages and plasters when she needed them.

My message to other youngsters is this: If you want to make a difference, it starts with you. By your actions and words, you can inspire others – both young and old. And if you have a strong vision for your own future, you can succeed. When you’re on the cusp of adulthood, you have to stop playing games. You need to be serious about your future and your commitments. Being responsible for patients’ lives is a very important role.

Anastacia Phosa, 27, Higher Certificate in Nursing

Education is the key to everything and because we are free, we are able to create our own goals.

I live in Boksburg with my mother and younger brother. I’ve always wanted to work in a health organisation and after suffering through the COVID-19 pandemic, I realised just how important nurses are – and how valuable the work is.

I think the youth of today are forgetting what happened in 1976. We need to remember what occurred in Orlando, Soweto and to understand how privileged we are that we get to choose what we want to study.

Education is the key to everything and because we are free, we are able to create our own goals. Mediclinic also offers bursaries to young people, which means you can study whether you have money or not.

My mother is also a nurse and knowing how hard she worked during COVID-19 was difficult, but it also made me proud. I hope to be like her one day. On Youth Day, I will wear a school uniform to remember the bravery of the 1976 learners.

Lebohang Tsetetsi, 19, Diploma in Nursing

I want to encourage other youngsters to create a sound future for themselves.

My hopes for the future include growing in the nursing profession. I want to study further in order to be able to alleviate pain and suffering for those in need.

At the age of 10 I became a burn victim when a cylinder of boiling water fell on me at home. I stayed in hospital for six weeks and despite my pain, I felt the care and patience and encouragement I received from the nursing staff. The physical scars I still have on my legs are a constant reminder that I survived a difficult time – and it has given me courage.

I want to encourage other youngsters to create a sound future for themselves – and to remind them that if they remain steadfast and put in the hard work, they will accomplish their goals.

On Youth Day, we need to acknowledge the fact we have access to schools and other resources that our elders didn’t. We owe it to them to be disciplined and focused.”

Daniel Mahlatsi, 20, Diploma in Nursing

I would like everyone to have equal access to healthcare and education in the future.

I’m studying to become a nurse because I want to show gratitude to my mother. She raised us single-handedly and I want to have the skills to take care of her in her old age.

I am very happy to have received a Mediclinic bursary to study. I would like everyone to have equal access to healthcare and education in the future.

I also think people need to let go of stereotypes when it comes to male nurses. Doctors and patients need us too.

Youth Day gives young people a chance to show we are responsible. And we are the future.

Buhle Kubeka, 27, Higher Certificate in Nursing

As young nursing students, we have a voice. We are stepping up and we are playing a role.

This Youth Day, we need to recognise the opportunities that previous generations have created for us. Because of them, we are able to live our truth today.

For the youth of today, the sky is the limit. Considering all the opportunities we are given, there is no reason not to grab life with both hands. In the past, there was a lot of anger in this country.

Today, I just want everyone to love each other. We should strive to be our brother’s keeper – and our sister’s keeper. By uplifting each other we can seek different opportunities and excel at different things. As young nursing students, we have a voice. We are stepping up and we are playing a role. We’re realising that just one random act of kindness can go a long way towards making a difference – and it doesn’t have to stop at the hospital. I hope technology doesn’t make nursing obsolete in the future. I don’t think it will.

Nursing is such a compassionate, hands-on industry. It would be very sad if technology interfered too much. I plan to further my career with Mediclinic and look forward to growing both professionally and personally.

Allison Pemberton, 27, Diploma in Nursing

On Youth Day, we need to commemorate our forefathers who made it possible for us to study further and better ourselves.

I’ve always been very inquisitive about the human body and how it functions. I was accepted into the Mediclinic nursing programme on my third attempt – so I definitely have perseverance and it has paid off!

My message to other young people on June 16 is that it’s important to get an education. You need to equip yourself with the necessary skills in order to reach your goals. Once you have milestones in mind, you need be dedicated and consistent.

As a young mother, I see studying both as a challenge and a responsibility.

On Youth Day, we need to commemorate our forefathers who made it possible for us to study further and better ourselves. We mustn’t squander the opportunities we have – we must motivate ourselves – and others – to succeed.