?YOUTH MONTH
This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).
When people ask Lihle Baleka what he studies, he replies: “I'm studying the future." A second-year student in sustainable development at SU, he is a young man of many talents and passions. He has made a name as a leading voice for women's rights, queer empowerment and environmental justice. In his free time, he gives expression to his love for music as an enthusiastic member of the SU Chamber Choir.
Baleka grew up in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape in a household led by women of remarkable strength. “My mother and grandmother shaped me to be the person I'm today. I'm very grateful to them," he says.
That foundation of love and resilience, coupled with the pain of being bullied for his queerness, propelled Baleka toward a path of advocacy and leadership. “At school, the stigma of being queer was a lot. The non-stop insults made it difficult to accept myself," he recalls. “I remember one day having an epiphany – I was scared to be who I am and to live my life to the fullest, but the people I was afraid of were living their best life. I realised I was closing myself off in a cocoon and I needed to get out and also live my best life.
“I began to critically examine the gender roles that often limit and harm us. For instance, I challenged some of my family members on the assumption that pink is for girls and blue is for boys. It's problematic to impose certain behaviours or expectations on children simply based on their gender."
Speaking up, showing up
Baleka currently serves as the Women and Queer Empowerment Portfolio Manager on the Student Representative Council (SRC) and chairs its corresponding committee. These roles have given him a platform to challenge outdated norms and amplify the voices of those too often silenced.
“It's not enough to talk about equality. We must actively create spaces where marginalised voices are heard," he says. One of the issues he is tackling is the persistent misogyny on campus. He says it's problematic that some student leaders in male residences never show up to join efforts to mobilise for women's rights and protest against femicide in South Africa. “Yet they expect a home-cooked meal from a woman at the end of the day. That is not leadership, that is patriarchy," he insists.
Through public dialogues and curated events, Baleka fosters difficult but necessary conversations about toxic masculinity and gender-based violence. A powerful example was his recent facilitation of a documentary screening of Alison, based on the brutal 1994 attack on Alison Botha.
“It was very graphic, but I feel strongly we shouldn't shy away from the unseen reality of gender-based violence," Baleka says of the documentary. “One of the HC members in the Dagbreek male residence came to me afterwards and thanked me for organising the screening. We need more such events where we address the uncomfortable truths about GBV," he insists.
Sustainability with soul
Baleka's activism extends to ecological justice. As Secretary of EcoMaties, he helps promote a holistic understanding of environmental sustainability informed by deep ecology – a philosophy that sees all forms of life as intrinsically valuable. “Sustainability isn't just about recycling," he explains. “It's about understanding our interconnectedness with each other and the planet."
Baleka also served as a mentor for the Aurora Commuter Student Community, where he guided newcomers through personal and professional challenges and helped them grow through the powerful exchange of diverse lived experiences. This journey enriched his leadership skills and deepened his commitment to empathy, empowerment and community-building.
Though soft-spoken, Baleka leads with unwavering conviction. He draws energy from mentors and role models, both personal and global. Among those he admires is Meaza Ashenafi, the Ethiopian human rights lawyer who helped redefine sexual assault laws to better protect young girls. But Baleka's most enduring inspiration remains closer to home. “My mother never had the chances I have. She was forced to live in the shadows of men. I fight for her, and for women like her."
Inspiration from his roots
When things get tough, Baleka reminds himself how far he's come. “I look back to my hometown where so many boys fall into drug and substance abuse, and I feel deeply grateful for the opportunities I have to make something of myself. The hopes and prayers of my family keep me going. When I'm down and out I picture myself on a soccer field and I look back at my family cheering me on."
The most rewarding part of his journey at SU is knowing people believe in him and that his efforts to make a difference are seen.
His advice to fellow students? Start small. Ask questions. And don't be afraid to ruffle feathers. “The system won't change unless you push it to. When you're fighting for a good cause, it's good to be a rebel."
PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman ?
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