Brave and unapologetic: Young Advocates for Women's Health and Justice (Youth Day Special)
In this impactful Youth Day episode of The Africa Within Podcast, we chat with Nonhlanhla Siwela, a future doctor dedicated to a present-day mission. As a medical student and passionate advocate, she is already championing better youth health, women's rights, and improved access to healthcare in South Africa.We discuss:- Her journey into medicine- The challenges young people face in accessing healthcare- Mental health and gender-based violence- The power of youth-led advocacyAbout Nonhlanhla SiwelaNonhlanhla Siwela, also known as “A Young Poet’s Mind,” is a multi-talented storyteller from South Africa. Currently studying medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand, she expertly balances rigorous academics with her commitment to social justice and creative expression.As the host of her own podcast (title TBD), Nonhlanhla explores critical youth issues, healthcare access, gender-based violence, and mental wellness, amplifying voices often left unheard. Her advocacy extends to social media, where she critiques policies like the NHI Bill and pushes for accountable and equitable solutions for South African communities.She authored and self-published a powerful poetry anthology, The Rainbow Nation is Black, released in 2021 and expanded in a deluxe edition in 2023. Her work confronts themes of identity, race, patriarchy, and trauma. In “Our Boys,” she challenges the emotional suppression of Black men; in “Bring Back Our Girls/Uyinene Is Not Dead,” she addresses the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence; and in “I Wish,” she reflects on the pain of suppressing one’s cultural identity.Nonhlanhla’s poetry has incited real-world change. Following the Uyinene Mrwetyana tragedy, she organized silent protests at her high school, and her poem “Uyinene Is Not Dead” became part of school assemblies across KwaZulu-Natal.Beyond words, she speaks at events and on social platforms, fostering conversations that connect medicine, poetry, and youth empowerment. With each spoken word and every online post, she lights the path for a generation hungry for equity and expression.A special thanks to Sethekele Ncube for producing this episode. Follow us on all our social media platforms Twitter (X) Instagram Spotify Apple Podcast Linkedin
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