In the West Rand region of South Africa, where community access to clean water and reliable services often hangs in the balance, Be The Future Foundation is causing disruptive ripples. Founded and led by Sandile Soxokashe, the organisation brings young leaders into the heart of civic advocacy and water justice
Putting Youth at the Helm of Change
Under Soxokashe’s direction, the Foundation collaborated with WaterCAN, Defend Our Democracy, and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation to conduct independent water testing in Bekkersdal and Simunye. Between April and May 2025, their joint findings revealed that 7 out of 11 community tap water samples were contaminated with E. coli and total coliforms - clear indicators that residents were consuming unsafe water.
In response, Soxokashe boldly declared: “Every day of inaction is a day that communities are exposed to water that may cause illness or worse”, calling on municipal authorities to issue boil water notices and urgently fix infrastructure failures. Read the statement here.
Partnering for Accountability and Impact
Working closely with civic organisations, the Foundation is accelerating youth-driven civic engagement. From election watch platforms to legal protest education, they’re partnering with Defend Our Democracy SA (represented locally by Kabelo Kemp) and Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (with youth activism led by Obakeng Kgatshe) to expand democratic participation and demand transparent governance.
Elevating Local Voices
The organisation’s “Voices of Youth in Protest” campaign - held during Youth Month - was developed in collaboration with Right2Protest and amplified voices like those of Sandile Kumkani Soxokashe, giving young people a platform to speak out on civic rights, governance, and water access
Be The Future Foundation doesn’t just raise concerns - they present data, collaborate across sectors, and uplift youth leadership at every step. Through hands-on water testing, protest training, community assemblies (youth imbizos), and civic participation, they model a powerful approach: one where young people chart the course toward dignity, health, and accountability.
