MEET BOITUMELO THAGE: ACTIVIST, AUTHOR AND NPO FOUNDER

By Sylvester Raraza

Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com

Twitter: @Sylvester_tut

South Africa is a country with an apathetic youth. This is unsurprising when you consider the fact that the country’s youth unemployment rate is sitting at 46,3%, according to Statistics South Africa. Young people are filled with hopelessness, they are demoralized and downhearted. Boitumelo Thage is trying to change that.

The newly elected African National Congress (ANC) branch secretary, in Pretoria Ward 98, says youth involvement and participation is pivotal in attempting to change the country’s prospects and its young population. “Here is to championing the interests of young women, and young people. Here is to community development. A bright future awaits us as young people, and young women in particular #wetheyouth”, Thage tweeted when announcing her election as branch secretary.

Leading up to the 2021 local government elections, Boitumelo Thage was declared as the ANC’s Ward 98 councillor candidate. Although her bid to take up the position of ward councillor was unsuccessful, she eagerly campaigned in and around her ward and her campaign got a nod from her party leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mr. Ramaphosa was all smiles during a photo opportunity with Boitumelo Thage at an ANC campaign trail. Speaking to Boitumelo, a visibly pleased President said, “I am so happy. You make me so happy. And you will do well, I know that for a fact.”

Picture: President Ramaphosa and Boitumelo Thage | Instagram

Boitumelo’s colleague and fellow comrade from the ANC, Marvel Hlungwani, commented on her effort to take over Ward 98, tweeting: “The ANC has chosen the best young, honest and competent candidate to stand for Ward 98 Councillorship in the City of Tshwane.” Boitumelo has been hosted on various media platforms to articulate her ideas and activism. Speaking to presenter Bongani Bingwa on Radio702, Boitumelo suggested that the ANC’s pick of 25% of its members below the age of 35 as councillor candidates, is evidence that the ANC has confidence in young people. She did interviews on ENCA and NewzroomAfrika as well.

Boitumelo Thage has a combined following of almost 20 000 followers across social media platforms Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Her social media boats of ANC related activities, what she is up to and pictures of her little daughter, Bontle. Boitumelo runs a Non-Profit Organization called ‘A Second Chance’, and through it, she distributes sanitary pads. Her goal is to reach 20 000 high school girls and provide them with pads.

Picture: My Voice Matters, book by Boitumelo Thage | Instagram

Boitumelo Thage holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology (BA) from the University of South Africa (UNISA). She is pursuing her Honours degree in the same field. It is worth noting that Boitumelo is also a published author. The name of her book, ‘My Voice Matters’, is a children’s book that teaches them about political subject matter. ‘My Voice Matters’ uses text and photography to enable kids to easily understand and make sense of politics.

All is not doom and gloom in South Africa, and this is evident in young people like Boitumelo Thage. She has achieved so much at a very young age; she gives the hopeless youth a glimmer of hope. Millions of young people in our country will get inspired by her and the achievements she has managed to accomplish thus far.

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