10 years ago, Students And Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) convened the first edition of the Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference (SARSYC) in Zimbabwe. During the inaugural conference, a decision was made to convene SARSYC as a biennial event hosted on a rotational basis by countries in Southern Africa. The 5^th edition of SARSYC roared to life in Gaborone, Botswana from the 17^th – 19t of July 2024.

Students and Youth from across Southern African Region arrived in Botswana on the 16^th of July brimming with energy and determination to advance equitable access to public health and education for the three-day transformative conference. Countries represented include Angola, Botswana, DRC, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe with up to 192 students and youth registering on the first day of the conference.

Unpacking the objectives conference which is running under the theme “Building Bridges, navigating emerging issues: advancing access to equitable public health and education, Miah Tsinakwadi, the SAYWHAT National Coordinating Committee Chairperson and a student at the University of Zimbabwe stated that SARSYC V aims to foster knowledge exchange where students and youth are given the platform to interrogate the role they play on campus and in communities, sharing  insights and best practices to amplify collective wisdom and ability to curate innovative solutions.

Joining the students and youth are government representatives from countries in Southern Africa, academics and researchers as well as representatives from Civil Society Organizations and development partners.

Representatives from the UNFPA

Representatives from Botswana

Representatives from Eswatini

Deans of Students from Zimbabwe

Over 60 key stakeholders graced the event and together with the young people they participated in reflection action meetings focusing on ICPD30, quality education, TB and HIV, and emerging challenges including the scourge of drug and substance abuse, climate change and the convergence of Artificial Intelligence, digital technology and public health.

Reflection Action Meeting on emerging issues.

Reflection Action Meeting on TB and HIV

Reflecting on the impact of climate change on young people’s access to equitable public health and education, Tawonga a student from the University of Zimbabwe stated that “There is no climate action without climate finance.” She challenged her peers to familiarize themselves with national budgets allocation on climate justice and implored college authorities to normalize climate action clubs on campus.

Young people also shared their vision for governments to support locally produced Artificial intelligence technologies that advances public health and education.

On drug and substance abuse, young people expressed that as students on campus they are the most vulnerable with knowledge gaps on the critical impacts of this scourge. Delegates acknowledged the interconnectedness between mental and drug and substance abuse with a plea to rehabilitate and not criminalize victims of drug and substance abuse.

Through the SAYWHAT Web for for Life symposium and the Mugota/Ixhiba Young Men’s Forum, SARSYC provided students and youth with spaces to interrogate the challenges that young women and young men face in the Southern African Region.

Sights from the Mugota/Ixhiba Young Men’s Forum

The focus in the young men’s forum was to “protect the boy child” and to say NO to the “Indoda Must…” notion. 

Young women in the Web for Life symposium echoed similar sentiments chanting #YoungWomenOnTheMove encouraging each other not to be perpetrators of sexual exploitation. “Mjolo is nice until it doesn’t serve you, then suddenly you are against patriarchy”- a young women form South Africa. Another key issue raised by young women is the urgent need to review the Termination of Pregnancy Acts in the region to improve access to SRHR services for young girls and women and improve their health outcomes as well. The sentiments echo the ongoing #ASINGADE campaign in Zimbabwe.

Director Luc Armond Bodea of International Conference of AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) and Coordinator of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) also graced SARSYC V. Speaking to delegates he emphasized the importance for ZERO HIV infections among the youth. Bodea encouraged young people to know their HIV status and have open conversations with their partners for a future with ZERO HIV infections.

Luc Armand Bodea speaking during the Mugota/Ixhiba Young Men’s Forum

The conference also featured the 2^nd edition of the Regional Research Indaba – a platform where students and youth from Southern Africa contribute to evidence-based advocacy through research. During the Indaba young people launched the “SADC regional perspective by young people on COVID 19” a book based on research insights from the first edition of the Regional Research Indaba held during the 4^th edition of SARSYC in Malawi. The young people who presented abstracts during the Indaba were awarded certificates of participation.

As the conference continues, a high-level engagement forum will be held on the second day of the conference providing students and youth with an opportunity to talk and engage with diverse policy makers from the region in attendance. Young people will present their keys asks, from the key issues raised from day 1 reflection meetings, amplifying regional voices and their collective vision for ICPD30 agenda. The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and Wellness, Botswana and the Secretary General, SADC Parliamentary Forum will grace the event on the 2^nd day and 3^rd day of the conference respectively.

The first day of the conference ended on a high note as delegates watched the first SAYWHAT SRH-GBV short film titled “CHOICES” that was launched in November 2023 featuring 7 students from across tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe. The short-film invoked dialogue among delegates and an appreciation for using art to amplify young peoples sexual and reproductive health and the fight against Gender-Based Violence. Available on https://youtu.be/PJu2DPMffvQ, CHOICES is a MUST WATCH!!!!