The period from 12 to 26 June 2026 covered the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Programme’s 10th‑anniversary gathering in Hermanus, followed by a short mid‑year break and a reflection on national issues. The following is a summary of the main events and developments.

10th‑Anniversary gathering (12–16 June)

Young leaders travelled from Atlantis, Cape Town, Genadendal, George, Hartbeespoort, Gqeberha, Kenya and the United States to attend the anniversary weekend. Several participants from the original 2016 cohort returned, providing a clear indication of the programme’s growth over the past decade.

The weekend included facilitated sessions led by René August and Seth Naicker, intergenerational discussions, and contributions from senior church leaders. Profs John de Gruchy and Allan Boesak, retired Bishop Ivan Abrahams, Bishops Stafford and Yvette, and local clergy Rev Francois and Rev Sheldon participated in various sessions. Their involvement reinforced the programme’s commitment to linking young adult leadership formation with broader church and civic responsibilities.

A key feature of the gathering was a three‑and‑a‑half‑hour Youth Day session on 16 June. All participants were given time to speak, and most remained for the full duration. The session served as a collective reflection on the challenges facing young adults and the need for coordinated leadership.

Programme outputs and public engagements

Several items were released or highlighted during the anniversary week:

• The VYLTP 10‑Year Report was published and made available on our website.
• Page 37, containing a congregational pledge to strengthen ministry to young adults, was identified for wider distribution. Congregations signing the pledge in clusters or regions will be connected for collaborative work.
• A VYLTP 10 years video was screened, watch it here!
• We launched our plans for the future guided by the five themes of the VYLTP.
• International partnership discussions continued with Christy and Jack Erskine from Oregon, including the possibility of a VYLTP visit to Oregon in November 2028.
• Media coverage increased significantly:
  • Netwerk24 published an Afrikaans report: 50 j. ná Soweto: Jeugdag vier verlede, bou aan toekoms
  • Cape Talk aired an interview, and
  • The Village News carried a feature on the programme’s 10th anniversary: Prioritising youth empowerment.

Xenophobia and recommended reading

The period also included reflection on broader South African issues, particularly the rise in threats against undocumented Africans. This was noted as part of a wider re‑emergence of exclusionary ideologies that have historical roots and contemporary political drivers.

Two articles are recommended for context:

• A piece by Lovelyn Nwadeyi, offering a personal and historical perspective on xenophobia: I Call Her Home. She Calls Me Foreign.
• An article by a leader in Abahlali baseMjondolo, addressing the resurgence of amabhuto‑style mobilisation and its implications: ‘The amabutho are back’: Abahlali warns of rising xenophobic violence.

Both articles were circulated to help locate current events within South Africa’s political and social history.

Mid‑year break and resumption of work

From 22 to 26 June, VYLTP took a mid‑year break — the first time the programme has done so. The break allowed time to process the anniversary events and begin consolidating the work ahead. It also provided space to reflect on national developments and share recommended readings.

The young leaders will reconvene at Volmoed on Thursday, 27 June, to review the outcomes of the anniversary conference, acknowledge the contributions of the local hosts, and identify priorities for the second half of the year.

Conclusion

The two‑week period combined a significant milestone for the programme with a wider reflection on national challenges. The anniversary gathering produced several concrete outputs, strengthened partnerships, and reaffirmed the need for organised young adult leadership. Work now continues into the second half of 2026 with clearer direction and renewed focus.