Thokozile Nhlumayo serves as the Secretary-General of the International Youth Parliament. She is a social justice advocate who has contributed significantly to shaping South Africa’s and the African continent’s political and leadership landscape. Through her work in the International Youth Parliament and her campaign #NotTooYoungToLead, she advocates for the meaningful inclusion of young people, especially women and marginalized groups, in all spheres of society in order to create a more just and sustainable world. In the exchange below, Thokozile reflects on the role of youth leadership in shaping the future and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on advancing youth and women’s political inclusion across Africa and globally through my work as Secretary-General of the International Youth Parliament, which operates in 45 African countries. My current work centers on strengthening democratic participation, leadership development, and ensuring that young people are meaningfully included in political decision-making processes. I believe this work is especially critical in the current geopolitical climate, where democratic values and institutions are increasingly being tested. Now more than ever, it is important to empower inclusive leadership, strengthen civic participation, and ensure that young people play an active role in preserving and shaping the future of democracy.
How has your work created impact in your community or field?
My work has created pathways for young people, women, and marginalized communities to participate meaningfully in political leadership and decision-making. Through founding the #NotTooYoungToLead campaign, what began as an advocacy initiative has grown into a global movement that has helped shift conversations around youth political inclusion and challenged traditional perceptions about leadership and age.
How did the McCain Global Leaders program influence your leadership journey?
The McCain Global Leaders Program has been a truly transformative part of my leadership journey. Through the program, I gained valuable insight not only into the importance of defending democracy, but also into the responsibility of preserving it for future generations. As someone whose work focuses on political inclusion, democratic participation, and leadership development across Africa, the program deepened my understanding of democracy from local, regional, and global perspectives.
How has being part of the McCain Global Leaders network impacted your work or perspective?
Being part of the McCain Global Leaders network has significantly expanded both my perspective and my approach to leadership. The network has connected me with an extraordinary community of leaders from different regions, sectors, and lived experiences who are all committed to advancing democracy, human rights, and inclusive leadership. Engaging with this diverse community has reinforced the understanding that many of the challenges we face — whether related to democratic backsliding, inequality, political exclusion, or social justice — are deeply interconnected and require collaborative global solutions.
What advice would you give to emerging leaders?
Emerging leaders must not become discouraged by the constantly changing political and geopolitical climate, especially during moments when democratic progress and the efforts of changemakers appear to be undermined. The work of advancing justice, inclusion, and democracy is never linear, and setbacks are often part of the journey. However, these challenges should never derail the important work we do for our communities. Instead, they should strengthen our resolve to continue pushing forward with courage, resilience, and hope.
What gives you hope right now?
What gives me hope right now is the resilience and determination of young people and communities across the world who continue to organize, lead, and advocate for justice and democracy despite increasingly complex political and geopolitical challenges. Even in moments where democratic institutions are under pressure or progress feels slow, I continue to see emerging leaders refusing to disengage and instead choosing to participate, innovate, and create solutions for their communities.
What is your favorite thing about your home country?
What I love most about South Africa is its resilience, diversity, and the powerful spirit of its people. South Africa is a country with a deeply complex history, yet it continues to produce individuals and movements that are committed to justice, equality, and social transformation. That spirit of perseverance and hope is something I carry with me in both my personal and professional journey.
The McCain Global Leaders Program supports character-driven leaders from around the world who embody Senator John McCain’s legacy of serving a cause greater than oneself. Structured as an immersive learning experience, each cohort includes a diverse group of leaders from around the world who are working “in the arena” to advance democracy and protect human rights and freedom. The program is designed to advance each Leader’s personal and professional leadership journey and impact by providing training, resources, and access to highly relevant regional and global networks with the goal of preparing today’s leaders to meet tomorrow’s challenges.