In the latest episode of DiCHiPi UNFiLTERED, host Barbara Moagi and guest co-host Lauren Smit explored the JiK’iZinto Manifesto and what it truly means to them as young people living in South Africa.

Barbara opened up about her experience with various movements in the past. While many claimed to empower the youth, she felt disconnected from them. She explained that most of these movements were created by older generations for the youth, but often felt like “lectures” rather than genuine conversations. “They’re saying things that sound like a lecture,” Barbara said, reflecting on how difficult it was to relate to those initiatives. She confessed that these movements didn’t resonate with her, adding, “It just doesn’t feel real to me.”

What stood out to Barbara about the JiK’iZinto Manifesto, however, is its authenticity. The platform doesn’t just speak to young people; it speaks like young people. One of her favourite features is the Big Sis chatbot, which, despite being automated, feels incredibly relatable. Barbara appreciates how Big Sis uses modern language and slang that speaks directly to her generation. It uses abbreviations like ‘IRL’, emphasising how relatable and real the chatbot feels. To her, Big Sis is not just an app—it’s like a friend, always there to chat in a way that’s not patronising. Barbara even joked that one day Big Sis might text her saying, “Hey, let’s go get lit, girl!”

Barbara's take on the JiK’iZinto Manifesto highlights a vital aspect of youth empowerment: authenticity. For her, it’s a movement that truly understands young people, made by them, for them.

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