EMBALENHLE – Delegates at the 2026 Mpumalanga Youth Parliament have challenged government to move beyond the 30% procurement and employment target for youth, arguing that it is not enough to address unemployment and economic exclusion.
Speaking during a discussion session at the Sasol Recreational Centre on 09 June 2026, youth delegate Junior Magagula said the 30% target should be treated as a minimum requirement rather than the ultimate goal.
“30% is not the bar, it's the minimum standard. You can even give 50% to young people and it's still okay,” said Magagula.
He argued that despite years of commitments to youth empowerment, many young people remain unemployed and excluded from economic opportunities.
“Those things of 30% have been there for the longest time, but still the problem keeps on progressing,” he said.
The call came as Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and senior government officials outlined youth development programmes during the Youth Parliament hosted by the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature.
Acting Speaker Sam Masango said today's generation must continue the struggle for economic freedom.
“Half a century since the youth of 1976 declared that enough is enough, today's young people must continue the struggle, now focused on economic liberation,” he said.
Government departments outlined several programmes aimed at youth development through employment, skills development and entrepreneurship. In attendance was the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, who delivered the keynote address. She shared progress made through the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme, a business-led initiative that helps unemployed youth gain meaningful work experience. She also called on the youth in attendance to utilise the data-free SAYouth.mobi platform to access government opportunities.
The Department of Health committed to strengthening youth participation in healthcare services and expanding HIV prevention programmes, while the Department of Social Development pledged continued support for youth care centres and substance abuse prevention initiatives.
The Department of Agriculture said 63 of the 110 smallholder farmers targeted for support during the current financial year would be young people.
“Out of the 110 smallholder farmers that will be supported, 63 will be young people,” said MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi.
The Department of Economic Development highlighted funding opportunities through the Mpumalanga Tourism Youth Fund, while the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport announced plans to create more than 38,000 Expanded Public Works Programme opportunities.
Youth delegates also raised concerns about healthcare access at TVET colleges. Democratic Alliance Youth PEC member Thembisile Siyabutswa called for collaboration between the Departments of Health and Higher Education to provide clinics and emergency services at TVET campuses.
“We need the Department of Health and the Department of Higher Education to literally put clinics and emergency services in TVET colleges because it looks like we are neglecting TVET students,” she said.
The call for government to move beyond the 30% benchmark emerged as one of the strongest messages from the Youth Parliament, with delegates arguing that greater investment in young people is needed to tackle unemployment and expand economic participation across the province.
