She was speaking at the Nelson Mandela Youth Month Dialogue in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday, where youth voices were placed at the centre of a discussion on what freedom means in the country today.

Reflecting on the state of the nation’s youth, Pandor expressed concern that for many, the promise of post-apartheid freedom remains unfulfilled.

"There are so many difficulties, there's violence, there's poverty, there's lack of opportunities, so young people can't be enjoying that,” she said.

“And this is why it is so urgent for us to look at growth sectors and how we can invest in them, not just as government, but the private sector as well. It's urgently necessary that we do something to resolve these problems."

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--