Youth Month in South Africa is more than a commemorative moment. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience, courage, and potential of young people across the nation. It honours the bravery of the Soweto Uprising of 1976 while urging today’s youth to continue reshaping their future. At ItThynk Gaming, we believe the best way to do that is by empowering the next generation with creativity, technology, and bold storytelling, through gaming. 

As ItThynk Gaming, we got invited to a Career Day Expo at a Fire Station in Protea Glen, Soweto. The event, attended by learners from a local high school, brought together change-makers, public services, and innovators, all with one goal: to inspire the youth and expose them to new career pathways beyond the conventional. 

We showcased two of our developed games; Hyper Star Fury and Reclaim, and gave learners the chance to experience African-inspired gaming:

• In Hyper Star Fury, learners got to step into the shoes of Khamani, a fierce pilot on a mission for justice in an Afrofuturist galaxy.

• Reclaim introduced players to a world where nature fights back. As the Seedbearer, you navigate a post-climate-collapse world, restoring life to lost towers.

The presence of Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was a powerful addition to the event. Officers shared words of encouragement, urging learners to stay focused on education and resist the pressures of social norms. Gaming, too, can be more than a pastime…it can be a path to opportunity. Whether it’s coding, storytelling, art, or sound design, the gaming industry has space for all talents.

Of course, no youth event in Mzansi would be complete without a dance-off and these learners brought the fire! Events like this show that the youth isn’t just the future but they are the now. They deserve platforms that reflect who they are, where they come from, and what they’re capable of building. 

This Youth Month, we’re proud to have played a role in sparking curiosity and showing what’s possible.