NDA COMMITS TO SUPPORTING YOUTH-LED ORGANISATIONS

By Cuma Pantshwa. 

• ⁠Over 200 young people gathered at the National Youth Summit to drive solutions for skills development and economic inclusion, with the Department of Social Development pledging continued support.
• Acting NDA CEO Thabani Buthelezi outlined ambitious plans to expand funding, create jobs, and strengthen community-driven projects to tackle poverty and youth unemployment.
• With youth unemployment at crisis levels, delegates were urged to seize opportunities and become leaders shaping South Africa’s future beyond the struggles of today.

Over 200 young people from across South Africa gathered under one roof this week to share ideas, shape solutions, and demand action for youth skills development and economic inclusion in the social sector.
Opening the National Youth Summit under the theme “Youth Skills Development and Economic Empowerment in the Social Sector,” Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Peter Netshipale, reminded delegates that the Department’s core mission remains unchanged: tackling poverty and building development pathways for all. It all starts here, Netshipale said, urging the room to seize the moment and take collective responsibility for building an inclusive future.
That spirit of action found even greater momentum when the Acting CEO of the National Development Agency (NDA), Mr Thabani Buthelezi, addressed the gathering with a clear message: the NDA is determined to unlock the potential of young people through practical, community-driven solutions.
Buthelezi reminded the audience that while the youth of 1976 laid the foundation for democracy through their courage, the struggle for youth dignity today lives on in classrooms, communities, and boardrooms where barriers to opportunity still persist, especially for rural and marginalised youth.
“Are our young people truly equipped for the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Are we empowering them to build their own companies, industries, and innovations?” he challenged the audience.
He pointed to alarming realities: youth unemployment stands at 45.5%, while more than 9 million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). “This is not just a statistic; it’s a national crisis that demands urgent, targeted, and scalable solutions,” he said.
Over the past three years, the NDA has trained more than 3,500 young people in accredited social sector skills programmes and funded over 220 youth-led or youth-serving organisations in areas such as food security, early childhood development, manufacturing, and community upliftment.
Beyond these current efforts, Buthelezi shared how the NDA is aligning its work with the priorities of the 7th Administration and the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030. Just last month, the agency unveiled a comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty and rebuild communities during its presentation of its Strategic Plan (2025-2030) and Annual Performance Plan (25/26) to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development.
Key goals include a 15-fold increase in development funding, creating 5,000 new job opportunities, and boosting the agency’s national footprint by at least 30% by 2030. The plan is anchored in practical, localised delivery through community-owned projects and small enterprises, supported by competent service providers.
To make this happen, the NDA is also intensifying its evidence-based planning, monitoring, and research to influence policy and demonstrate real impact. Buthelezi acknowledged the tough context shaping this plan; from low economic growth and high unemployment to deep inequality, persistent poverty, the digital divide, and climate change threats.
“Despite funding constraints, we are determined to deliver on our mandate,” he said. “This means working smarter within existing budgets while aggressively pursuing partnerships and innovative ways to mobilise resources.”
The NDA’s Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan, developed through wide consultation, have already been submitted to oversight bodies, including the Department of Social Development, National Treasury, and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
“These plans serve as our roadmap and an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to the vision that has guided us for more than a decade,” Buthelezi said.
As he looked out at the 200 young delegates, including 17 NDA interns representing the next generation of skilled, purpose-driven leaders, Buthelezi closed with a reminder: “Your story did not begin with unemployment, and it should not end in struggle. You are the legacy of 1976 and the architects of 2056. Let’s move forward, together, with courage, innovation and hope.”
The NDA’s renewed commitment and bold targets left the room energised, a timely reminder that the doors of learning and opportunity must not only open wider but stay open for all.