How the Church Helps Shape Young Catholics

Many young Catholics are actively involved in the Church, and it is the SACBC Youth Ministry’s job to guide them in their mission, as national president Lesego Zikhali explains.

After the tough years of the Covid pandemic, the Catholic Youth Ministry in the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) had to work hard to revive itself and face the big challenge of getting young people back to the Church.

Over the past five years, the Youth Ministry — founded on Gospel values and reflecting a family and multicultural perspective in all the dioceses —has grown tremendously. This Holy Year of Hope, and especially the Jubilee of Youth from July 28 to August 3, provides a special opportunity to look back and say: “Hope is never lost within the Church.” Indeed, the Church is growing within young people as they are actively involved in shaping her life and mission.

The voices of young people are being heard, heeding the late Pope Francis’ call for them to speak openly and honestly from the heart. In his 2019 apostolic exhortation for the youth, Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive), the Holy Father reminds us that young people are not merely the future — they are the now. They are the Church of today: gifted, talented, full of energy, and longing for God. It is the responsibility of the entire faith community to provide for their personal and spiritual development as Catholic Christians.

Young people inspire

Personally, in my role as a national youth leader, I am inspired by seeing how young people are stepping into leadership roles within parishes and contributing actively to the Church’s growth. The Church in the SACBC is truly blessed to witness such active participation by young people in many places, a development encouraged by the Synod on Synodality.

The youth ministry in our conference region must be understood as a movement fostering communion, within the universal Church and between local churches. It draws young people to become responsible members of the Church, participating fully in its life, mission and work. It also empowers them to use their God-given talents. Young people in our Conference are called to be missionary disciples, sent by their baptismal mandate to proclaim the Good News to others.

The SACBC Youth Ministry is, as its name indicates, age-specific. It is rooted in religious formation, and it strives to involve and engage young people who attend worship or live in surrounding communities.

The current national chaplain is Fr Motankane Mahlako of Witbank.

According to the SACBC’s Youth Ministry Manual, the vision is to “help develop Southern African Catholic youth to become fully human and authentic witnesses of Christ in the Church and in society”. Its mission is to “identify, coordinate, and engage with dioceses and all Catholic youth bodies in supporting and developing programmes that will help them grow spiritually, morally, socially and intellectually”.

These statements guide us, as young people, to pursue our goals in youth ministry as we journey in the life of the Church. To that end, the SACBC Youth Ministry implements a range of initiatives and programmes to support young people in their faith journey.

Youth ministry in action

These include:

-Youth Pilgrimages and Conferences: The SACBC organises regular youth rallies and conferences that bring young people from across Southern Africa together. These events feature inspiring talks, workshops and worship, and provide opportunities for young people to connect with one another and deepen their faith.

– Leadership Training: The SACBC offers leadership training and development programmes for young people, aimed at equipping them with the skills and confidence to become leaders in their communities.

– Community Outreach: The Youth Ministry encourages young people to engage in community service and outreach projects, such as visiting the sick, serving the poor, and caring for the environment.

– Faith Formation: The SACBC provides faith formation and catechesis programmes for young people, aimed at deepening their understanding of Catholic teaching and tradition.

The SACBC Youth Ministry is a testament to the power of inclusivity and diversity. It welcomes young people from all walks of life, regardless of background, culture or socio-economic status. This inclusive spirit has created a vibrant and dynamic community of young Catholics united by faith and a commitment to service.

Building the future

The SACBC Catholic Youth Ministry and other youth-oriented bodies, such as the Association of Catholic Tertiary Students (ACTS), not only provide faith formation and leadership development that shape young people to be witnesses of the Gospel, but also foster communion among young Catholics — sometimes forming lifelong bonds.

As the ministry looks to the future, it aims to create a legacy of hope and empowerment which will continue to inspire and transform generations to come. The SACBC’s ministry to young people is a vital and dynamic expression of the Church’s commitment to nurturing the faith and potential of young Catholics in Southern Africa.

Through its initiatives and programmes, the SACBC is empowering young people to become leaders, servants and witnesses to the Gospel.

As the Church continues to evolve and grow, the SACBC’s ministry to young people will remain a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

Lesego Zikhali is the president of the SACBC’s Ministry to Youth and Young Adults.

Published in the July 2025 issue of The Southern Cross Magazine