EmpowaYouth and Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga Reimagine Livelihoods to Recover Lost Ground at Inaugural EmpowaYouth Indaba

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Johannesburg, March 2025 – On Thursday, 27 February, in a powerful and strategic call-to-action, the inaugural EmpowaYouth Indaba convened the nation’s foremost thought leaders and stakeholders in youth empowerment, making it a pivotal moment to address South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. The Indaba focused on the urgent need to create alternative livelihood pathways for young people, moving beyond traditional forms of work. At the core of the discussions was the pressing mandate to rapidly upskill and train South Africa’s youth in order to stave off the looming socio-economic challenges posed by an evolving job market. South Africa’s youth are not getting any younger, and with the economic landscape changing quickly, there is no time to waste.

The event brought together some of South Africa’s leading institutions and key players in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, who participated in highly engaging panel discussions aimed at developing actionable strategies for meaningful change. Supported by African Bankand the National Youth Development Agency,the discussions featured prominent figures such as Ravi Naidoo, CEO of Yes for Youth; Martin Sweet, CEO of Primestars; leaders from Harambee, Naspers Limited, the W&RSeta, and the Transport Education and Training Authority. Together, these industry pioneers developed compelling solutions that called for intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaborations to drive sustainable growth and impact.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities, SindisiweChikunga, highlighted the significance of such gatherings, asserting that the youth constitutes a large portion of the massive 72% of South Africa’s population her department is responsible for. She called the EmpowaYouth Indaba an apt and timely initiative, stating, “Youth is not a problem to be solved, but a resource to be harnessed. We must act boldly and decisively to transform the lives of our young people, providing them with the tools, opportunities, and skills to shape their futures.”

As a cornerstone of youth empowerment over the past seven years, EmpowaYouth has consistently bridged the gap between unemployed youth in peri-urban areas and opportunities for growth, impacting the lives of more than 20,000 young South Africans through its week-long summits and transformative programmes. The Indaba represented a new and strategic approach, positioning EmpowaYouth to rally for stronger industry and government partnerships to amplify its impact and expand its reach as a developmental agency for youth.

Sibongile Gangxa, Managing Executive for Special Projects at Empowaworx, underscored the urgency of these discussions: “We stand not as isolated organisations or individuals, but as the millions of South Africa’s youth who woke up today, uncertain about their future. It is our responsibility and privilege to pay it forward, to connect them to the opportunities that will change their lives. This Indaba marks a critical juncture where we reimagine livelihoods and recover lost ground.”

EmpowaYouth’s impact over the past seven years has been far-reaching, with its programs in peri-urban areas facilitating access to meaningful employment and career development. The Indaba served as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration across sectors to achieve sustainable change.

The themes discussed included:

▪ Bridging Policy and Impact: Enhancing youth employment strategies for practical, on-the-ground solutions.

▪ Innovating for Impact: Exploring how businesses can drive youth employment and skills development by transforming South Africa’s workforce.

▪ Redefining Employment: Promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship, particularly within the gig economy, as viable alternatives to traditional jobs.

▪ Leveraging Technology for Employment Growth: Harnessing digital platforms and innovation to break down barriers for young entrepreneurs and small business owners.

▪ Bridging the Vocational Training Gap:Strengthening partnerships with education and training authorities to expand access to skills development opportunities.

Elizabeth Ramashala, Head of Transformation at African Bank, shared her support for the initiative, saying, “African Bank’s commitment to transformation is grounded in purpose. Platforms such as the EmpowaYouth Indaba allow us to change the dial, reimagine livelihoods, and create a future where no young person is left behind. These collaborations are vital in ensuring that young South Africans are empowered to thrive.”

Minister Chikunga concluded the event with a powerful call to action, emphasising that her ministry is ready to partner with all present to create new realities for the country’s youth.

In the coming weeks, EmpowaYouth will consolidate the insights and strategies proposed by the speakers and delegates into a white paper, which will be submitted to the President of the Republic of South Africa. This document will serve as a roadmap for actionable, long-term solutions to youth unemployment in South Africa.