PODCAST: African Royal Rainbow Congress founder Thabiso Mabetwa calls for youth leadership
The African Royal Rainbow Congress shares its vision for youth-driven leadership in South Africa's political landscape.
Thabiso Mabetwa, the founder and president of the African Royal Rainbow Congress (ARRC), advocates for a new generation of political leaders in South Africa. The 36-year-old, a former member of the Congress of the People (Cope), highlighted the party's goals ahead of the 2026 local government elections. In an interview on The Movement podcast, Mabetwa noted that youth in South Africa are frustrated by exclusion from leadership roles and that current politicians have failed to address the nation's challenges over decades.
Established in 2018 following his experience with Cope, the ARRC positions itself as a youth-driven movement aimed at creating opportunities and enhancing communities. Initially relying on self-funding, the party now campaigns in Gauteng, North West, and Mpumalanga, utilizing door-to-door outreach to gain support. Mabetwa emphasizes that the ARRC prioritizes community engagement before broadening its political reach.
Addressing major concerns for young South Africans, including unemployment, crime, and limited opportunities, Mabetwa's party aims to assist youth in securing employment and skills development. Additionally, the ARRC seeks to improve safety by increasing youth employment within policing structures, including support for community patrols and addressing issues like blocked drainage systems and poor service delivery.
Concerned about voter apathy, Mabetwa believes young people need better access to political information and democratic processes. He also criticizes the influence of political connections on employment and government program access. Mabetwa calls for transparency, accountability, and increased participation in local governance, advocating for technological solutions to enhance membership and political involvement while cautioning against electronic voting due to potential vulnerabilities.
Mabetwa envisions expanding the ARRC's presence through community engagement and grassroots campaigning, emphasizing the importance of young South Africans taking an active role in their future. The party's central message centers on a new generation, a new direction, and creating opportunities for young people.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
