Municipality-Based Youth Indaba 2025: Strengthening Youth Voices through Advocacy and Civic Education: March – June 2025
The Democracy Development Program (DDP), in collaboration with three KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, successfully hosted a series of community-based Youth Indaba conferences between March and June 2025. These gatherings were part of a broader initiative to empower young people, amplify their voices, and promote active civic engagement through advocacy and education.
Rooted in the theme “Strengthening Youth Voices through Advocacy and Civic Education,” the conferences aimed to address the historical and ongoing marginalization of youth in democratic processes. They provided a platform for young people to engage with local governance structures, share their experiences, and co-develop strategies to enhance their participation in political, social, and economic spheres.
1. Umngeni Youth Indaba
- Date: 20 March 2025
- Venue: Howick West Community Hall
- Theme: Enhancing Voices: Accountability Through Citizens and Advocacy Social Activism
- Facilitator: Buhlebuyeza Motseme
This inaugural Indaba set the tone for the series, focusing on the importance of youth-led accountability and the role of social activism in shaping responsive governance.
2. Msunduzi Youth Indaba
- Date: 17 April 2025
- Venue: Athletics Tracks, Pietermaritzburg
- Theme: Enhancing Voices: Accountability Through Citizens and Advocacy Social Activism
- Facilitator: Phumla Khuzwayo
Held in the heart of Pietermaritzburg, this Indaba emphasized the need for sustained youth engagement in municipal affairs and the development of advocacy tools to hold leadership accountable.
3. Ukhahlamba Youth Indaba
- Date: 17 June 2025
- Venue: Bergville Sports Centre
- Theme: Strengthening Citizens’ Voices Through Advocacy and Civic Education
- Facilitator: Buhlebuyeza Motseme
Coinciding with Youth Day, this final Indaba celebrated the legacy of youth activism in South Africa while equipping participants with civic education tools to influence change in their communities.
These conferences reaffirmed DDP’s commitment to nurturing a generation of informed, active, and empowered young citizens. By partnering with local municipalities, DDP continues to create inclusive spaces where youth can shape the democratic future of South Africa.
