The future belongs to those who invest in their children: Madonsela

The conference brought together various stakeholder who engaged in research that looked at the challenges the youth is facing in the 21st century.

Thuli Madonsela stated that the internet has become a place of refuge for young people, something which could have a negative effect. 

Madonsela said the conference was very timely.

"In the past the youth were our future leaders, in this day and age, the youth are our leaders. Leaders are not those with titles. Leaders are those that influence change at whatever age they are," she said.

UNISA Vice-Chancellor Professor Mandla Makhanya opened the Youth Research Conference at the university. 

Makhanya said our society was faced with serious challenges. 

"The world is in one of those rare transitions where the young and old are faced with changes and adaptations for which neither is equipped," he said. 

Makhanya said children exercised a fundamental level of power over adults - the knowledge of the internet. He believed this was a role reversal when compared to previous generations.

Edited by Marius van der Walt