“Nothing without us, for us”, those were the powerful sentiments shared by young people at a youth-targeted stakeholder session organised by the City of Joburg’s Youth Directorate on 16 April 2025. The session formed part of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) Review for 2025/26, centred around the theme of reimagining the city through the eyes of its residents.
In his presentation, Thuthuka Mzimela, Director for Integrated Community-Based Planning, emphasised the importance of integrating youth development into all strategic plans.
“The IDP must stipulate clear time frames and targets for youth empowerment,” Mzimela said.
“We need to upscale youth participation especially in Region G through training opportunities, funding for youth-owned businesses, and better utilisation of open spaces, including the construction of a youth centre.”
Youth representatives from various wards, notably Ward 119 in Naturena, voiced deep frustrations about poor service delivery, exclusion from planning processes, lack of youth-focused development initiatives, and underutilised or lost community resources.
A youth representative Sandile Mkhize raised concerns about the availability and functionality of youth empowerment and recreational centres, while Mandela Nkosana wanted to know about the Youth Directorate.
“We have the Youth Crime Prevention Desk under community safety. We need the Youth Directorate to engage and collaborate with such structures championing youth affairs,” he said.
Responding to these concerns, Nomoya Mnisi, MMC for Economic Development, acknowledged the challenges and highlighted existing efforts. “We have Opportunity Centres in all seven regions, totalling nine,” she said. She said Ward 52 previously fell under the Soweto Empowerment Zone, but due to it being leased out, it will now move to the UBC Civic Centre in Jabulani, making it more accessible for unemployed young people.
Mnisi elaborated on the role of these Opportunity Centres, which assist emerging SMMEs with compliance matters such as tax registrations and financial management. “As the city, while we lack sufficient funds to directly assist SMMEs financially, we create platforms where they can access funding opportunities through various institutions,” she added.
MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso promised to revive the Youth in Construction Initiative, originally launched in 2002. “It was established to help young people enter the construction sector, which is a huge industry with minimal youth participation,” he said.
Mabaso committed to working with the Youth Directorate to resuscitate the programme, which would empower small, emerging businesses and provide skills training for aspiring youth contractors.
Mabaso also highlighted several housing programs for residents who don’t qualify for RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) houses, including Community Rental Units, Social Housing, the First Home Finance Program, and Serviced Stands. He further mentioned the introduction of student accommodation projects in Johannesburg since 2021.
MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Kenny Kunene addressed youth concerns around skills development and economic participation. “We’ve partnered with the private sector — for example, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Discovery run an academy where young people learn to patch potholes and repair roads,” Kunene explained.
“Some trainees get absorbed into these programs and later enter the job market equipped with practical, technical skills, enabling them to tender and compete in that space.” he said.
The session was a constructive with youth sharing sentiment in demanding that the City of Johannesburg urgently address their concerns and ensure IDP processes are truly participatory, offering real opportunities for young people to shape their future.
Written by Zingiswa Mndayi