With National Youth Day falling on 16 June, June is cerebrated as youth month.
Youth empowerment in South Africa means equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to reach their full potential and contribute to the country's development. This involves addressing challenges like unemployment, poverty and lack of access to education and skills development. Empowering youth is crucial for South Africa's economic growth and social cohesion.
It is not just a social imperative but also a crucial investment in South Africa's future. By providing young people with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, the country can unlock their full potential and build a more prosperous and equitable society.
Emmanuel Kganakga, Director: Youth Policy and Legislation at the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities stated: “The theme for 2025 Youth Month, “Skills for the changing world – Empowering youth for meaningful economic participation”, calls on us to build on our proud legacy as Africans and to prepare our young people for the evolving demands of the global economy.”
He further highlighted the following points:
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that the youth unemployment rate increased from 44.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is at the forefront of reducing youth unemployment and enhancing skills attainment through a range of programmes.
It is envisioned that the launch of the South African National Service Institute (SANSI), a joint initiative by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will create a deliberate and seamless skills-to-industry pipeline by training, capacitating and empowering emerging industrialists.
The Department of Employment and Labour recently announced that more than13 000 unemployed youth in Limpopo will benefit from a R 462 million fund dedicated to training and skills development.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is allocating a R 55.4 billion budget for the 2025 academic year, assisting eligible students from poor and working-class families at public universities and TVET colleges.
Director Kganakga recognised that when youth are equipped with the right skills, they become more productive members of the workforce, drive innovation, stimulate economic activity and contribute meaningfully to Gross Domestic Product.
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With National Youth Day falling on 16 June, June is cerebrated as youth month.