Bonkakarolo ba Batjha Mmusong wa Lehae

The document provides a framework for youth participation in South African local government, highlighting the legal basis for engagement, the current gap in youth representation in decision-making bodies, and practical ways for young people to influence municipal planning and service delivery.

• There is a significant disparity between the youth population and their representation in South African governance. While youth (defined as those aged 18–35) make up approximately one-third of the population, only 3% of Members of Parliament are aged 20–29, and 16.8% are aged 30–39.
• Youth voter turnout in South Africa is low, with only 20% of registered youth voting in the 2021 local government elections and less than 30% participating in the 2024 provincial and national elections.
• Youth participation in local government is supported by a comprehensive legal framework, including the 1996 Constitution, the Municipal Systems Act (2000), which requires youth inclusion in Integrated Development Plans (IDP), and the National Youth Policy (2020–2030).
• Several barriers hinder youth engagement in civic processes, including a lack of trust in political institutions, poverty, high unemployment, insufficient civic education, and municipal meetings that are inaccessible or unwelcoming to young people.
• The document recommends that municipalities support youth by establishing youth units or councils, using digital platforms for transparency, and prioritizing youth in IDP and budget planning.

APA

Public Affairs Research Institute (n.d.). Bonkakarolo ba Batjha Mmusong wa Lehae. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Youth-Participation-Sesotho.pdf

Chicago

Public Affairs Research Institute. Bonkakarolo ba Batjha Mmusong wa Lehae. n.d. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Youth-Participation-Sesotho.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Public Affairs Research Institute |title=Bonkakarolo ba Batjha Mmusong wa Lehae |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Youth-Participation-Sesotho.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{publicaffairsresearchinstitutendbonkakarolo, author = {{Public Affairs Research Institute}}, title = {{Bonkakarolo ba Batjha Mmusong wa Lehae}}, institution = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Youth-Participation-Sesotho.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }