The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa Regional Office has appointed South African actress, poet and youth advocate Botlhale Boikanyo as its new Regional International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Youth Champion for East and Southern Africa.
The appointment places the 25-year-old award-winning creative at the forefront of efforts to champion the rights and aspirations of young people across the region. Boikanyo will work closely with UNFPA to amplify youth voices and advocate for the accelerated implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, with a strong focus on gender equality, bodily autonomy, access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare, and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
Boikanyo first captured the nation’s attention when, at just 11 years old, she became the youngest winner and the first poet to win South Africa’s Got Talent. Since then, she has built a successful career as an actress, motivational speaker and social activist, using storytelling as a tool to inspire positive social change.
As the founder of the Botlhale Boikanyo Foundation, she has dedicated her work to empowering young people through education, self-expression and leadership development. Her advocacy has encouraged thousands of young Africans to use their voices to influence policies and shape solutions affecting their communities.
UNFPA said young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the leaders of today, stressing that placing them at the centre of sustainable development is both urgent and essential.
The organisation believes the creativity, innovation and lived experiences of young people are critical in building a more inclusive and prosperous Africa.
Speaking after her appointment, Boikanyo said she envisions a future where every young person, particularly women and girls, has equal opportunities to shape their own destiny.
“My hope and dream is to live in a world where every young person, especially women and girls, has the freedom and opportunities to shape their own future and is included in the rooms where decisions about their lives are made.
“Being a UNFPA Champion is another step towards turning that vision into reality. It is an opportunity to amplify the voices of young people through storytelling across our region and advocate for investments that uphold the rights, dignity, well-being and potential of every young person everywhere,” she said.
The Mahikeng-born actress said storytelling remains one of the most powerful instruments for driving social transformation.
“I believe that storytelling is a catalyst for social change and that young people must not only be heard, but meaningfully included in shaping the decisions that affect their lives and futures,” she added.
Boikanyo said she intends to use her new role to engage with governments, policymakers, civil society organisations and development partners to advocate for policies and investments that protect the rights and unlock the potential of Africa’s youth.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for East and Southern Africa, where young people make up a substantial proportion of the continent’s rapidly growing population. Despite leading innovation and community development initiatives, many continue to face challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare, employment and opportunities to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their futures.
Through her new role, Boikanyo is expected to help strengthen youth participation across the region while championing initiatives that promote equality, inclusion and sustainable development for millions of young Africans.
