Zulaikha Patel

"Asking me to change my hair is like asking me to erase my blackness"

"I believe no young person should abandon their childhood to fight struggles that should have been fought decades ago"

"My activism has thrust me into the public domain from a tender young age, and ultimately I spent all my teenage years growing up directly in the public eye, which at times became difficult as I had to grow up much quicker than my years in order to navigate public commentary and critique"

"the 1956 march continues to remain a “source of inspiration for me on the power that women’s voices hold and a source of inspiration to continue advocating for justice and human rights."

"A huge part of my activism has been to empower people to use their own voices to change the world and their circumstances"

"The world is changed by ordinary people that have the audacity to use their voices for change"

"I strongly believe that seeing yourself represented in the pages of books empowers one’s existence"

"I wanted to ensure that no other Black child that comes after me should ever experience this severe form of intimidation"

"Even in communities of colour, there is a lot of anti-blackness"

"Gender-based violence isn't only physical, there's TGBV (Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence) and a lot of it starts on social media."

"When you wear your Afro out, you are already starting your politics"

"Small acts begin in your home"

"[My conviction] is inspired by a deep desire for change and justice, and the fact that as young South African people we are defined as ‘Born-Free’, but have never had a chance to interrogate freedom and ask questions about our democracy"

"We’re not seeing enough young people at the decision-making table"

"When we demand change for the future that we’re going to inherit, we’re told we’re overly radical or that people at the [decision-making] table speak for us"

"Activism is playing such a big role in shaping the future. It’s giving young people and marginalised communities a voice to define their future,"

"South Africa is a perfect example of how destructive reform is as opposed to abolition"

"Young people also belong where policies are being drafted, where policies are being made"

"Stay genuine to your cause, constantly ensure that you listen"

"So I believe that there is power in choosing to select your thoughts in the same manner that you select clothing in the morning"

"take a seat, look at how far you've come, congratulate yourself and work on bettering yourself in whatever skills you have because we will never get a time like this ever again"

"I do not like being labelled as a born-free because I've always questioned whether the freedom is a reality"

"My activism located me at a time when I couldn’t reject it due to the conditions"

"I want a young black girl child to understand her capabilities are not limited by her physical appearance but are enhanced when she is confident and owning who she is"