THE FUSE

Award-winning poet, speaker and actress Botlhale Boikanyo has reached another remarkable milestone, adding yet another impressive achievement to what has already been a memorable year. The talented creative has announced that she has been appointed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa Regional Office as its new Regional International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Youth Champion.

The exciting appointment marks a new chapter for the 25-year-old, whose powerful storytelling and advocacy have inspired many over the years. Sharing the news with her followers on Instagram, Botlhale reflected on just how meaningful the opportunity is, describing it as a true full-circle moment.

“What a full circle moment. I’m deeply honoured to share that I have been appointed as UNFPA’s Regional ICPD Youth Champion for East and Southern Africa.

As I reflect on this moment, I can’t help but think about the little girl who first discovered her voice through poetry. She could never have imagined that one day, that same voice would become a platform to serve, advocate and amplify the voices of young people across an entire region.

This appointment is a commitment to continue using storytelling to amplify the voices, dreams and lived experiences of young people, and to champion a future where every young person, especially women and girls has the freedom, opportunities and support to shape their own future.

Together with UNFPA, I look forward to engaging with young people across East and Southern Africa, learning from their lived experiences, advocating for meaningful youth participation, and championing the rights, dignity, bodily autonomy and potential of our generation. Let’s keep building together.”

For Botlhale, the appointment is more than just a prestigious title. It represents an opportunity to continue using her voice to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across the region. Throughout her career, she has used poetry, public speaking and storytelling to spark important conversations, and this new role will allow her to take that mission to an even greater audience.

Speaking about what she hopes to achieve as part of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa Regional Office, Botlhale shared her vision for the future.

“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.”

As Botlhale begins this new journey with UNFPA, she is set to champion the hopes, dreams and rights of young people across East and Southern Africa while inspiring a new generation to believe in the power of their own voices.

Get the latest South African entertainment news, trending stories, and viral updates straight to your WhatsApp.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN