The launch event took place at the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto, Johannesburg, a site of deep historical significance tied to the 1976 student uprising.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), unveiled this year’s theme: “Skills for the Changing World: Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.”

The theme speaks to the country’s ongoing efforts to address youth unemployment, access to education, and the mismatch between skills and market demands.

Yet for many young South Africans, the road to opportunity remains full of obstacles.

Lerato Masondo, a young woman from Soweto said that while government initiatives are welcome, the challenge lies in accessibility.

“Most of us don’t even know where to start,” she said. “We hear about internships and learnerships, but getting to the right websites or people is tough. In schools, we’re not taught enough about how these sectors work.”

She also spoke about the broader social challenges affecting SA’s youth. “A lot of my peers are struggling; some end up in drugs or abusive relationships just because they don’t see a way out. We need more than just talk; we need real access to opportunities.”

Masondo shared a personal story of a friend from the Eastern Cape who had to leave her studies at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training college in Gauteng due to funding issues. Despite applying for support from NSFAS, she was unable to secure student accommodation and was left with no option but to drop out.

“She came all the way to Gauteng with hopes of building a better future,” Masondo said. “The system failed her, and she’s not the only one.”

Delays in funding, lack of guidance, and limited access to resources are pushing many capable and talented young people to the margins, she added.

Reflecting on the meaning of Youth Month, Masondo said it’s important to remember the young people who fought for equality in 1976 during apartheid. “They paved the way for us. We celebrate them on June 16, but now it’s up to us, and the government, to make sure their fight wasn’t in vain.”

Her message to fellow youth was one of hope and action; “Don’t give up. There are places you can go to get help, but you have to look for them. Ask questions. Visit community centres. Take that chance.”

She also called on the SA government to increase visibility of its youth programmes, especially in under-resourced colleges and communities. “We hear about these sectors, but there’s no real explanation. The government needs to do more to make sure we understand how to access and benefit from them.”

--ChannelAfrica--