Authors: Jennifer Norins, Tanyaradswa Chatyoka & Kgwerano Maputla

Executive Summary:

With its robust policy and legal framework, South Africa holds much promise for its youth. However, after nearly 30 years of democracy, the country is in danger of becoming a failed state Its economy is in shambles and it experiences loadshedding multiple hours of the day. Many rural communities lack access to safe water and other critical services. Young people are frustrated with the lack of economic opportunities and political participation. Through the ‘Youth and Social Justice Futures: Identifying Future Skills and Training in Africa’ project, young people in South Africa identified several key areas that need urgent attention to achieve a socially just future for South African youth and for society as a whole.

This policy briefing provides a summary of key reflections emerging from participatory research on youth and social justice futures for South Africa. It also presents policy recommendations as developed by 22 young people from different provinces in South Africa who participated in the virtual workshops in February and March 2023 on how government and civil society actors can transform systems to improve the future for youth.