Our Call for Change
We, the concerned citizens of South Africa, are calling for a serious change in the way our country is governed and for a greater role for the younger generation in shaping South Africa's future.

We believe that South Africa needs leadership that is accountable, responsive and prepared to confront the challenges facing ordinary people. We therefore call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down from the presidency and for Parliament and political parties to make meaningful space for a new generation of South African leaders.

This petition is not about disrespecting older South Africans. It is about recognising that leadership must continually renew itself. Young South Africans will live with the consequences of today's decisions for decades to come, yet many feel that they have too little influence over the decisions that determine their future.

We are concerned about:
1. Youth representation and leadership

South Africa has a large young population, yet young people continue to face unemployment, limited economic opportunities, crime and uncertainty about their future. We believe young South Africans should have a much stronger voice in Parliament, government and political decision-making.

We call for political parties and Parliament to create meaningful pathways for capable young South Africans to enter leadership and participate in decisions affecting their generation.

2. Accountability in national leadership

We believe the President and all public representatives must be held accountable for the country's conditions and for the decisions made while they are in office.

We call for greater transparency regarding government spending, borrowing, public finances and the use of public resources, together with stronger consequences for corruption and abuse of public office.

3. Gender-based violence and femicide

Women and children continue to face serious violence in South Africa. Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) was classified as a national disaster in November 2025, recognising the seriousness of the crisis.

We demand that the fight against GBVF remain a national priority, with effective policing, prosecution, survivor support and accountability for failures within the criminal justice system.

4. Crime and the rule of law

South Africans deserve to live in communities where the law is respected and where victims of crime can have confidence that cases will be investigated and perpetrators prosecuted.

We call for stronger accountability within law-enforcement agencies, professional policing, effective investigations and consequences for officials who abuse their positions or fail in their duties.

5. Immigration and border management

We recognise that South Africa has the right to control its borders and enforce its immigration laws. We call for effective identification and processing of undocumented persons, stronger border management and enforcement against employers or officials who violate immigration laws.

At the same time, enforcement must be conducted lawfully and with respect for the constitutional rights and dignity of every person. Government has itself identified illegal immigration and stronger border management as areas requiring action.

Our demand for a new generation
South Africa cannot build its future without giving its youth a meaningful place in building that future.

We therefore call for:

The resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Greater youth representation in Parliament and government.
Greater accountability from all elected and appointed public officials.
Stronger action against corruption and misuse of public resources.
A more effective response to crime, GBVF and violence against women and children.
Professional and accountable policing.
Effective and lawful immigration and border enforcement.
Greater transparency concerning government spending and borrowing.
Political leadership that places the long-term interests of South Africans and future generations at the centre of decision-making.
This petition is a call for renewal, accountability and participation.

We are not calling for one generation of South Africans to be forgotten. We are calling for generations to work together while ensuring that young South Africans are no longer treated merely as the leaders of tomorrow.

The youth are part of South Africa today, and they deserve a meaningful voice in deciding South Africa's tomorrow.

We call on citizens who share these concerns to make their voices heard peacefully, lawfully and through democratic processes.