school children, the future leaders of tomorrow.
Chemicals and explosives group AECI has used Mandela Month to argue that tackling poverty and inequality means investing in young people rather than only responding to immediate need.
In a statement issued under the 2026 Mandela Month theme, "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity", the company said too many young South Africans continued to face poverty, inequality, unemployment and limited opportunity.
It argued that the same communities held resilience, creativity and leadership potential that was going untapped.
"The question is not whether our youth have the ability to lead, but whether opportunities are being created for them to do so," the statement said.
