Latest news with #Dlamini-Zuma
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
'The future is yours': Dlamini-Zuma rallies Africa's youth to seize power and shape the continent
Empowering Africa's youth: Key takeaways from Dlamini Zuma's Y20 2025 Pre-Summit address Image: Thabo Makwakwa In an address at the Y20 2025 Pre-Summit hosted by South Africa, former African Union Chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma delivered a rallying cry for Africa's youth and women to become the cornerstone of the continent's future development. Her speech at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria on Monday, marked by passion and urgency, highlighted that Africa must seize its narrative and chart a new course that is rooted in inclusive growth, peace, and sustainable development. Dlamini-Zuma began by reflecting on Africa's long history, noting that it has often been misunderstood or misrepresented 'For a long time in our history, we have struggled to define our own story,' she said. 'We are a continent blessed with 60% of the world's sunshine, yet we face a staggering 60% unemployment rate among our youth. It's time to turn the tide.' Highlighting the demographic realities of Africa, by 2050, the majority of the population will be young. Dlamini-Zuma called on the current generation of young people and women to be the backbone of development. 'This generation must be the drivers of peace and development. There can be no peace without development, and no development without peace,' she asserted. She urged governments and stakeholders to make education and skills training more accessible, stating that 'young people have the right to education, and they must actively pursue it.' She challenged youth to see themselves as beneficiaries and active infrastructure, industry, and economic growth contributors. Dlamini-Zuma drew attention to the continent's rich mineral resources and criticised the legacy of resource exploitation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Our minerals have long been mined and exported without value addition,' she said. 'We must stop the leakage of our resources and instead process them locally to create jobs and economic benefits for our people.' She stated the importance of developing the ocean economy and expanding participation in mineral processing industries, urging young Africans to engage in these sectors to foster sustainable growth. The former AU Chair stressed the need for Africa's development models to prioritise inclusivity. 'If we continue to ignore inequality, it will threaten our livelihood,' she warned. 'Our approach must be different—focused on empowering youth and women, promoting entrepreneurship, and ensuring that no one is left behind.' Dlamini-Zuma also spoke out against exclusion, criticising the summit's failure to include sign language interpreters for those with hearing impairments. 'We cannot have genuine participation if we leave behind those with disabilities,' she said, calling for more inclusive policies in future forums. She highlighted the importance of youth involvement in global issues, recalling Africa's historic support for anti-apartheid struggles and emphasising solidarity with oppressed peoples worldwide, including Palestine. 'Our youth have historically stood against injustice,' she noted. 'They must continue to be drivers of peace, solidarity, and justice across the globe.' She called for ongoing dialogue among young people, urging them to build movements, demand accountability, and unite around justice and development. 'The future belongs to you,' she said. 'Your actions today will echo worldwide.'
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma urges African Mayors to transform urban spaces
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma speaking during the opening of the U20 African Mayors Assembly Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers During the first full plenary of the U20 African Mayors' Assembly and Sherpa Meeting held on Thursday in Tshwane, former Chairperson of the African Union, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said we must build cities where young people wish to stay and fix our continent, rather than wanting to leave. 'Together we can build a bright future to reflect the true spirit of the African Renaissance…As African mayors you have the responsibility of creating cities that are economically vibrant, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable," Dlamini-Zuma told the various delegates during her keynote address. She addressed the gathering on the relevance of African Renaissance in an urban setting and said cities are critical in creating the Africa we want. 'The Africa we have now, is not the one we want,' she said. She urged the various mayors to commit to building a brighter future for our people and one which reflects the true spirit of the African Renaissance. 'As African mayors you have the unique opportunity to transform our African cities into vibrant hubs,' she said. Dlamini-Zuma stressed that people working in cities must live in the cities. This will mean that they will have access to proper, safe and affordable public transport, as well as to adequate healthcare and good education. She further stressed that cities must be safe, especially for women and children. 'I believe in cities that don't sleep. Cities which don't sleep are safer.' Dlamini-Zuma pointed out that cities must also have proper infrastructure, which includes proper roads and airports. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The infrastructure must be able to connect cities throughout the continent. She said people should be able to drive or take a train to another African country if they so wished.' We need to decolonise minds. If we do not, we remain colonised,' she said. Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya meanwhile during her opening address told the delegation that they meet not as individuals, but as a collective. 'We are connected by geography, guided by duty, and united in our determination to realise the full potential of our cities.' She said this is a time when the world is looking to cities for solutions. 'Tshwane, like many African cities, is growing rapidly. We are urbanising at speed, but often without the infrastructure or resources to match. Our challenges are not unique. They reflect a wider African reality,' Moya said. She pointed out that cities are becoming centres of innovation, climate action, and economic activity. 'They are where the future of Africa is being shaped,' she said, but added that there are still serious challenges ahead. 'Urban 20 gives us a vital megaphone within the G20. It is our opportunity to inject African priorities into global policy, and to ensure that local voices shape global decisions,' Moya said.
