The 5th Youth Symposium of the continent’s self-monitoring mechanism, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), began in Midrand, Gauteng, with a call for all African Union (AU) Member States to integrate the youth agenda into entrepreneurship, trade, governance, and education.
Delivering his opening speech at the two-day Youth Symposium, Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi stated that the envisaged African continent cannot thrive if the youth remain on the margins, because the continent’s prosperity relies on their participation.
“We must therefore continue to urge all AU Member States to mainstream the youth agenda into annual national policies across all areas of public life, especially in entrepreneurship, trade, governance, and education, among others, and allocate the necessary resources for the successful implementation of that agenda.
It is crucial that the youth of our continent should be at the forefront of driving the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Aspirations of the Africa We Want, especially in strengthening the capacity and capability of our institutions to effectively respond to these challenges as a vital pillar of our response,” he said.
Minister Buthelezi stated that the population of our continent is young, full of courage, brilliance, and creativity. However, he mentioned that the challenge is not merely about youth representation but about youth participation—participation that is genuine, consistent, and institutionalised, not just talk shop.
He said too often, youth are loosely referred to as the leaders of tomorrow, but he asked: “Which tomorrow, because tomorrow is already here?”
The Minister said, “The future is no longer a distant horizon – instead, it is emerging in real time, whether in the streets of Kigali, Lusaka, Lagos, Seychelles, or Cape Town, or in the innovation hubs of Nairobi. Tomorrow has arrived, and its dreams are being born daily. The fifth APRM Youth Symposium arrives at an opportune time, offering a chance to reflect on youth empowerment over recent decades. We must ensure that our governance systems mirror this reality by opening the pathways of policy, procurement, and public administration to young minds ready to serve.
“As a government, we are deliberate in our commitment to co-create governance solutions with the youth of our continent – not for the youth.
“To you leaders of NOT tomorrow but NOW (Youth), it is time you are seen not as demographics to be managed but to be seen as partners to be trusted and as custodians of accountability, innovation and transformation,” he said.
The Minister informed the delegates at the Youth Symposium that as the country wraps up its Presidency of the G20 agenda, South Africa seeks to carry a legacy that will enrich the aspirations of the continent and the Global South.
In line with the AU theme for 2025, Minister Buthelezi stated that the South African G20 Presidency aims to leave a legacy that promotes reparatory justice, a connecting thread that unites ambitions, and one in which youth across the continent will thrive.
APRM CEO, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre said: “This is your space to propose actionable solutions …let the AU Agenda be driven at national levels and youth voices be heard.”
The APRM continues to strengthen youth inclusion and participation in governance, urging its national structures to host youth governance symposiums and amplify youth-led reforms.
