Poet and youth advocate Botlhale Boikanyo has highlighted the importance of prioritising children’s dreams, education and opportunities after sharing her poetry at the Bana Pele Vision 2030 Leadership Summit.
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The summit brought together President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and leaders from various sectors to discuss the future of South Africa’s children.
Reflecting on the experience, Botlhale described it as an honour to perform her poetry on a platform that highlights the collective responsibility of building a better future for young people.
Poetry that puts children first
In her poem, Botlhale encouraged people to look beyond statistics and recognise the individual dreams, aspirations and potential of every child.
She painted a picture of a little girl reaching for the stars, a little boy imagining who he could become, and children taking their first steps into a world filled with possibilities.
Her performance emphasised that children should not simply be viewed as the future of the country, but as individuals who already have voices, ideas and the potential to make a difference.
“Bana Pele means children first,” she wrote, stressing the importance of turning this principle into meaningful action through better opportunities, stronger systems and a belief in every child’s potential.
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A personal connection to education
For Botlhale, the conversation around education and child development is deeply personal.
She reflected on growing up watching her mother dedicate her life to education, first as a teacher and later through running her own early childhood development (ECD) centre.
Her own journey was also shaped by a teacher who recognised her storytelling ability before she fully understood the power of her voice.
Through her foundation, Botlhale continues to champion youth empowerment and arts education, initiatives that align with the message she shared at the summit.
Her story highlights the influence teachers, parents and supportive learning environments can have in helping children discover and develop their talents.
Celebrating young voices and creativity
Botlhale also shared the stage with the Children’s Choir and Amazwi Choir, whose performances reflected the dreams and possibilities at the heart of the event.
She described the experience as a reminder that children are already storytellers, dreamers and changemakers, rather than simply being the generation expected to shape the country one day.
The poet thanked the Department of Basic Education for creating space for the arts in an important national conversation. She also expressed gratitude to media personality and philanthropist Nomzamo Mbatha for introducing her at the event.
Through her performance, Botlhale reinforced the importance of including children’s voices and creative expression in conversations about education, leadership and the country’s future.
Her message was clear: putting children first must go beyond words. It requires creating opportunities, strengthening educational systems and ensuring that every child is given the support needed to reach their full potential.
Featured image: Instagram/@botlhaleboikanyo
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