Lalela Mswane

“[My campaign] focuses on youth employment from the perspective of no longer waiting for opportunities from the state, but instead empowering youth by providing them with entrepreneurial skills to take charge economically”

“I used to suffer from losing things that I don’t have,” she said. “It stems from fear of perfection or the pressures of the world, and trying to seek from happiness that you don’t have. An attitude of gratitude should be something that we instil every day”

“I am deeply thankful to all the amazing people who have supported and uplifted me”

“On the positive side, our country is extremely rich in diversity, heritage, culture and history, and abundant in picturesque scenery. But my favourite thing about South Africa is our people and their steadfast spirit in the face of adversity. We also never fail to make humour the centre of any situation, good or bad and I love that!”

“The shortage of employment opportunities is so disheartening, particularly in a nation so full of talented and educated people. Our country lacks the infrastructure to nurture talent and provide platforms conducive to the creation of employment, so large numbers of talented South Africans with the best of ideas are emigrating to countries where their are plenty of opportunities. That is something I would like to change”

“And a part of me was like, I will jump and die, fall to my death. All because of people that don’t know me”

“There are so many people that have died by suicide when people actually know what they put them through. So I don’t think they [critcis] even care”

“At a point, I actually wanted to die by suicide because I absolutely got to a point where I couldn’t handle it”

“On Twitter, I was being bashed and, you know, going through it, and in person, you’re now going to be nice to me”

“Many people see me, and they’re like, oh, at first, I was so confused. I hated you for doing it [going to Israel]. But I’m so glad you went. And I’m like, do you comprehend the level of trauma I went through for you to come then and say this”

“I WANTED TO DIE BY SUICIDE”

“I love my critics. I think I’m being given an opportunity to grow. And just because you disagree with my decision doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respect me. Respect is the biggest thing we owe to each other”

“I would definitely say to hold on because tough times do pass and when you’re in the moment it’s difficult to see yourself through it. But I think what’s most important is sticking by your convictions and what you believe in even if that means standing alone. In essence, bad times don’t last and things do get better.”

“Gratitude is the general feeling. It iterates the message that we should truly assert ourselves in spaces that we desire. We should be unafraid to go boldly in the direction of our dreams.”