The 5th Youth Symposium of the continent\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2014participation that is genuine, consistent, and institutionalised, not just talk shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said too often, youth are loosely referred to as the leaders of tomorrow, but he asked: \u201cWhich tomorrow, because tomorrow is already here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister said, \u201cThe future is no longer a distant horizon \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a government, we are deliberate in our commitment to co-create governance solutions with the youth of our continent \u2013 not for the youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APRM CEO, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre said: \u201cThis is your space to propose actionable solutions \u2026let the AU Agenda be driven at national levels and youth voices be heard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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