As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2026, young South Africans have urged government to prioritise youth unemployment, economic inclusion and dignity.
The call was made during a Presidential Youth Engagement hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) at the Thusong Service Centre in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, ahead of Thursday’s SONA.
Youth Voices Must Shape SONA 2026
Welcoming delegates on behalf of the NYDA Board, Executive Chairperson Dr Sunshine Minenhle Myende said the engagement comes at a crucial time for young people.
“This is the single most important moment in the diary of the President and that of the Deputy President, where he directly engages with us as young people and through us to understand our lived realities as young people,” Myende said.
She emphasised that the platform should translate youth development policies into tangible action.
“This engagement is substantive in its nature. It is a moment where all hands must be on deck; where youth development moves from policy to presence, and where ahead of the State of the Nation Address, the voices and realities of young people are placed firmly at the centre of the nation's attention,” she said.
Myende added that young people expect the President to directly address their concerns in the upcoming SONA.
“After all, young people are the majority in this country, so there can never be anything about us without us. We must influence the State of the Nation Address. The President must be able to pronounce on issues that are going to speak directly to us as young people,” she said.
Youth Unemployment And Economic Exclusion
Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa. Myende said the lack of job opportunities is stripping young people of their dignity.
“Youth unemployment remains high. It is causing us sleepless nights as young people. Because we're unemployed, our dignity is stripped off every day. If you're unemployed, you're not respected even during family gatherings,” Myende said.
She also highlighted the frustration of graduates who remain without work despite holding advanced qualifications.
“Others have Master's degrees but are sitting at home, and some are relegated to low paying jobs, despite having qualifications. It's unfair and unjust for us as young people with Master's degrees to be sweeping the streets,” she said.
In addition, concerns were raised about limited access to entrepreneurship opportunities in sectors such as mining and energy.
“Entrepreneurship opportunities in some industries like mining and energy, young people are not included in the table. DP, we're being given the crumbs of the bread and not while, while we deserve the actual bread,” Myende said.
Call For A National Skills Revolution
The NYDA has called for a national skills revolution to better prepare young people for participation in the economy.
“As the NYDA, we are calling for skills revolution in the country, so that young people are reskilled for the relevant sectors and others are provided with the necessary skills,” she said.
Myende noted that the engagement coincides with key milestones in South Africa’s history, including 50 years since the 1976 Soweto uprising, 30 years of the Constitution and 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March.
“They tell one continuous story that freedom in South Africa has always been pushed forward by us young people and defended by women and secured through collective struggle,” she said.
She stressed that young South Africans want concrete results.
“As young people, we want delivery through action,” Myende said.
Ongoing Consultations Ahead Of SONA
Deputy President Paul Mashatile attended the engagement on behalf of President Ramaphosa, who is leading stakeholder consultations ahead of the State of the Nation Address 2026.
The Presidential Youth Roundtable forms part of broader engagements aimed at shaping the President’s address, allowing young South Africans to directly raise issues affecting jobs, skills development and economic participation.
Additional Reporting from SANews.gov.za
