Canon Collins Trust

Social justice and human rights are sustained not only through policy and activism, but also through the stories we choose to remember.

This Mail & Guardian article by Canon Collins alum Aarti Bhana explores Nkoli: A Fierce and Fabulous Life, a vogue-opera that revives the legacy of Simon Nkoli and highlights the intersections of the anti-apartheid struggle, LGBTQIA+ rights, and the fight against stigma and exclusion.

By bringing Nkoli's story to new audiences, the production serves as a reminder that the pursuit of equality, dignity and freedom remains ongoing. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that those who shaped these struggles are not forgotten.

A thoughtful reflection on memory, representation and human rights in South Africa.

Read the full article here: https://mg.co.za/friday/2026-06-19-you-strike-a-queer-you-strike-a-rock-how-nkoli-revives-the-legacy-of-simon-nkoli/

What happens when a child is denied placement at every school their family applied to?

In a recent Daily Maverick article, CCT alumna Yolisa Piliso and co-author Chandre Stuurman examine the legal and constitutional implications of learner placement decisions in the Western Cape. They argue that when education authorities place learners at alternative schools, parents should have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the process and understand the reasons behind the decision.

They explore the intersection of access to basic education, administrative justice, and the best interests of the child, raising important questions about transparency and procedural fairness in school admissions.

Read: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-06-16-western-cape-school-placement-without-consultation-undermines-parents-right-to-administrative-justice/ #:~:text=Western%20Cape%20school%20placement%20without,The%20Western%20Cape%20Education%20Department

"We must ask ourselves if we have become a different version of those oppressors?"

As South Africa commemorates Youth Day, Canon Collins scholar and PhD Candidate Sumaya Gabriels challenges us to move beyond remembrance and reflect on the society we are building today.

She believes honouring the sacrifices of the youth of 1976 requires more than annual commemorations. It demands a commitment to creating an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, ability or nationality, has the opportunity to thrive.

For Sumaya, the legacy of June 16 calls on us to have honest conversations about the systemic, social and economic barriers that continue to exclude many people, and to actively work towards greater equity and opportunity.

"We have a responsibility to work towards an inclusive society in which all people can live together in peace."

"Commemorating June 16 while we are still suffering is something else. We have a responsibility as young scholars to continuously engage in our societies and give our brothers and sisters a vision." – Aphelele Vava

For Canon Collins scholar Aphelele Vava, June 16 is not just a moment in history. It is an ongoing struggle for access to quality, decolonised education and meaningful opportunities for young people.

He sees the spirit of 1976 reflected in movements such as and argues that many of the barriers faced by Black students remain today, from financial exclusion and unequal access to education to unemployment and persistent inequality.

As South Africa marks 50 years since the Soweto Uprising, Aphelele challenges young people to move beyond commemoration and actively engage in shaping society, contesting ideas and creating a vision for future generations.

"June 16 is more than a public holiday. It is a reminder that young people changed the course of South African history."

For Canon Collins scholar Mpho Malangeni, who grew up in Soweto near the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Youth Day is a day of remembrance, pride and responsibility.

While today's youth no longer face Bantu Education, many still confront unequal access to quality education, under-resourced schools, poor infrastructure and limited opportunities. Mpho believes the legacy of 1976 challenges us to ask whether we are making full use of the freedoms won by those courageous students.

As South Africa marks 50 years since the Soweto Uprising, she reflects on the bravery of the young people who stood against injustice and wonders what advice they would give learners today.

As South Africa marks 50 years since the Soweto Uprising, we reflect on a generation of young people who refused to accept an education designed to limit their futures.

Their courage reshaped South Africa and inspired resistance across Southern Africa. It also sparked acts of solidarity that enabled thousands of young people forced into exile to continue their education and contribute to building democratic societies.

In this special Youth Day feature, Canon Collins scholars and alumni from South Africa and Namibia reflect on the enduring legacy of June 16, the role of education in advancing justice, and the responsibility of today's generation to carry that legacy forward.

What does educational freedom mean 50 years later? How far have we come, and what work remains unfinished?

Read the article and join the conversation: https://canoncollins.org/news/from-soweto-to-southern-africa-fifty-years-after-june-16-education-remains-an-act-of-liberation/

From writing poems in school notebooks to exhibiting internationally, Canon Collins Trust alumna Thobile "Sana King" Mavuso continues to build a remarkable career at the intersection of art, storytelling and community impact.

Recently featured on SABC, Thobile reflected on her journey as an award-winning poet and multidisciplinary visual artist, sharing how her work explores healing, identity, memory and the experiences of women. She also spoke about founding Mind Liberators, an initiative that mentors young poets and creates opportunities for young people to find their voice through creative expression.

Today, alongside her artistic practice, she is helping to create new spaces for artists and young people to learn, create and thrive.

We congratulate Thobile on this recognition and look forward to following the next chapter of her journey.

Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9HZSENcKmE

Would 70% of South African graduates really trade their degrees for a career in the trades?

It's a headline that has gained traction recently, but the reality is far more complex.

In this article, Canon Collins Trust Executive Director, Ivor Baatjes unpacks the survey behind the claim, examine the limitations of the data, and place the findings within the broader context of South Africa's labour market. The discussion explores graduate unemployment, the challenges facing TVET graduates, the role of policy and public messaging, and why framing the issue as a simple choice between university and trades misses the bigger picture.

South Africa needs both graduates and artisans. The real challenge lies in building an economy capable of creating opportunities for skilled people across all pathways.

If you're interested in the future of education, skills development, employment, and economic policy in South Africa, please read the full article and join the conversation.

Read the full article here: https://canoncollins.org/news/rethinking-the-70-of-graduates-would-switch-to-trades-narrative-in-south-africa/

Silence can protect. Silence can isolate. Silence can also be the barrier that stands between pain and healing.

Silence to be Broken is a powerful documentary that explores what happens when individuals and communities find the courage to speak, connect, and act.

At the heart of the film are Bronwyn February, a Canon Collins Scholar, and Malcolm, who are working to create spaces of healing, hope, and possibility in communities often defined by hardship.

Set against the backdrop of Manenberg, Mitchell's Plain and Hout Bay, the documentary follows young people, mentors, and community leaders as they confront violence, trauma, and uncertainty while building pathways toward growth and belonging. Through powerful conversations, moments of reflection, and the simple act of showing up for others, the film reveals how lasting change takes root.

This is a story about resilience. About breaking cycles of silence. About investing in young people before the world tells them who they are.

And at its core is a belief that echoes throughout the film: sometimes changing one life is how you begin to change a generation.

Watch the powerful documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaOLVQNzdIM

Applications for the Change Maker Award 2026 are now open.
This year's theme is:
We Rise Together: Collective Action. Lasting Change.

The Change Maker Award supports Canon Collins Trust scholars and alumni to lead initiatives that create meaningful change in communities across Southern Africa.

Three grants of R20,000 are available to support community-led projects that address local challenges and contribute to positive social impact.

Applicants can access a video of the Application Support Workshop, facilitated by an experienced grant writer, offering practical guidance on developing a strong proposal.

Applications close on 10 July 2026.

Watch the Application Support Workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuervKqZuoE
Click here to learn more about the award and to apply: https://canoncollins.org/alumni/inspirational-change-makers/

Please note that applications for the Change Maker Award are open exclusively for Canon Collins Scholars and Alumni.