By Síona O’Connell
Síona is an African Studies scholar, practitioner, author, and documentary filmmaker. Her research focuses on memory studies and restorative justice in South Africa. She is a professor at the University of Pretoria’s School of the Arts and the chairperson of the Academy of Science of South Africa Humanities Standing Committee.
Síona says: “History isn’t a museum piece; it’s life in the present. When young people grasp how previous generations dismantled oppressive systems, they develop the analytical framework to identify and challenge contemporary inequalities. Today’s youth need that same conviction to tackle climate change, economic inequality and social justice.
“But historical awareness alone isn’t sufficient. We’re living through a technological revolution that’s reshaping every industry. … When we combine historical lessons with technological fluency, we create young people who don’t just remember the past or adapt to change – they become architects of justice in the digital age.”
