Shatadi Phoshoko, former Unisa National Student Representative Council (NSRC) Secretary-General and the first woman to hold the position, was recently selected as a recipient of a Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans award in the Justice category. This year marks the 20^th instalment of the awards, which drew more than 3 000 nominations. The award recognises Phoshoko’s previous leadership roles and her current position as a candidate attorney at the Unisa Law Clinic.

About the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans Awards

According to the Mail & Guardian, the awards celebrate "the achievements of young South Africans across various fields. These awards highlight the contributions of individuals under the age of thirty-five who are making significant impacts in their respective domains, showcasing the potential and talent within the country."

The selection process begins when the public submit nominations, which are then reviewed by a panel of judges. The judges specifically look for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent, innovation and leadership in their fields. They consider the impact of nominees’ work on their communities and South Africa at large.

In recent years, the awards have showcased young South Africans who made strides in diverse areas such as digital innovation, climate activism, public health and cultural preservation. Past recipients include scientists who contributed to groundbreaking research, social entrepreneurs who tackled pressing societal issues and artists who pushed the boundaries of creative expression.

Overall, the 200 Young South Africans awards "celebrate the dynamic and promising future of South Africa, driven by the energy, creativity, and dedication of its youth".

Reflections on the award

Reflecting on her achievement, Phoshoko described the recognition as both humbling and affirming: "I am honoured to receive this recognition; it affirms that the work I do matters and reminds us that we should do more and strive for greater impact. I am inspired to keep going, serving, and showing up."

She also emphasised the importance of youth leadership, noting that young people must boldly claim their space and organise themselves to address the challenges facing both local and global communities. "We must not be afraid to make our own mistakes, because that is how we grow and learn," she added.

Key leadership roles

Over the years, Phoshoko has demonstrated significant leadership capacity, including

• serving as Unisa NSRC Secretary-General, where she was involved in establishing the Student Debt Relief Fund campaign.
• serving as a member of the Unisa Language Policy Task Team.
• championing and securing the distribution of monthly data to students.
• serving as a panel member alongside Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and the Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Mahube Molemela, at the 16^th Conference of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ).
• ⁠being actively involved in the Unisa Law Students Association (ULSA).

Her inspiration

Phoshoko shared that her inspiration comes from the resilience of women – those leading societies, single mothers leading homes, women diligently leading institutions and the women in her life who triumph and overcome regardless of circumstances. 

Looking ahead

Phoshoko is currently pursuing a Master’s in Corporate Law and already holds an LLB from Unisa. Beyond her legal career, she writes and provides public commentary on digital culture on SA FM and Capricorn FM.

"For me, the digital space is an emerging economy that ought to be monitored and researched, and its use optimised," she concluded.

* Compiled by Ngwako Mokgotho, Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Law