Why youth inclusion is crucial for South Africa's future: Insights from Mashatile at the G20

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a day ago

Addressing the G20 Roundtable, Deputy President Paul Mashatile urges investment in youth capabilities, highlighting the need for shared power, digital innovation, and sustainable development driven by Africa's young population.
Image: HigherEducationZA/X
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for the urgent inclusion of young people in building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
Mashatile was delivering the keynote address at the G20 High-Level Intergenerational Roundtable in Sandton on Friday, where he highlighted the importance of empowering youth to lead economic transformation, social development, and global engagement.
Having recently returned from a working visit to the Russian Federation, he stated that the trip offered valuable insights into strengthening South Africa's bilateral ties with Russia and reaffirming historical solidarity.
He noted that institutions such as Saint Petersburg University are playing a role in people-to-people relations by committing to teaching South African languages such as isiZulu and isiXhosa.
He also praised Russia's progress in digital and artificial intelligence capabilities, urging that "we too in South Africa must invest in this area of work because we are living in the knowledge economy, and it is a requirement for us to be globally competitive."
Highlighting South Africa's leadership in the G20 and BRICS, Mashatile said: 'This presents a collective moment for us to re-frame global discourse. A moment to insist that Africa's youth are not passive recipients of aid or policy, but agents of innovation, enterprise, and governance.'
He stressed that South Africa's future depends on a youth-led approach to development. 'Young people can build the Africa we want,' he said.
He aligned his message with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and its focus on inclusive growth through youth empowerment.
He hailed the ratification of the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area as 'a decisive policy action that signals our intent to mainstream gender and youth equity within intra-African trade policy.'
Mashatile warned that without transforming Africa's demographic dividend into inclusive growth, the continent risks stalling its potential.
'We understand that we need young people to meaningfully build capable, ethical, and developmental states. We must integrate youth into national and continental planning frameworks, not just as beneficiaries but also as co-architects of development,' he said.
Referring to historical figures such as Hector Pieterson and Solomon Mahlangu, Mashatile drew a connection between the youth's role in South Africa's liberation struggle and their relevance in addressing today's pressing issues like unemployment, inequality, and poverty.
'Economic freedom remains elusive,' he said. He added that creating opportunities for youth participation in decision-making is now a national imperative.
'We need to turn our attention to youth capabilities and development to empower young people to unleash their untapped potential.'
He also pointed to the government's efforts to support young people through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, and platforms like SAYouth.mobi.
He acknowledged challenges such as red tape and regulatory burdens that hinder youth entrepreneurship and access to opportunities, saying, 'The Presidency has established a specialised unit focused on enhancing the business climate by addressing regulatory obstacles.'
The time has come for us to move beyond inclusion as a moral goal and make it a measurable outcome,' said Mashatile.
Reiterating the importance of action, he said the government is scaling up youth-focused programmes including employment initiatives, technical training, and support for youth-led enterprises.
'Let the G20 remember that Africa is young!' he said. 'South Africa is ready, and we want young people to take the lead in the developmental and transformation agenda.'
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Leaders' Summit in November, Mashatile said South Africa's presidency of the G20 presents a unique opportunity to mainstream the youth agenda in global policy.
'We will anchor youth inclusion in every major pillar of our G20 Presidency, from climate finance and trade facilitation to digital transformation and skills mobility,' he said.
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