Generation Unlimited initiative expands to nurture the potential of South Africa's youth and drive sustainable growth

JOHANNESBURG, 13 August 2024 – Generation Unlimited South Africa (GenU SA), a public-private-youth partnership, is moving to the next phase by expanding partnerships and reach in skilling and connecting the country’s youth to opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and social impact. With 65% of young people in South Africa (aged 15 to 34 years) out of employment, training or relevant education, the initiative is an urgent and vital intervention in support of Government efforts.

At an event was co-organized by the United Nations with PwC South Africa on 12 August, young people from across a range of backgrounds, young people from across a range of backgrounds, the United Nations in South Africa, academia, civil society, and key private sector partners came together to commit to scaling-up efforts under the GenU SA initiative. The event was to commemorate the International Youth Day.

“Young people in South Africa are a creative, inspiring and vital resource for the country who must be given every opportunity possible to realize their full potential, which will not only improve their own wellbeing but that of the nation as a whole,” said Nelson Muffuh, UN Resident Coordinator, speaking at the event in Midrand.

“That’s why it’s so encouraging to see the collaboration and coordination among multiple partners today, all of whom are committed to nurturing and engaging young people as they transition into their working lives,” added Muffuh. 

GenU SA focuses on four pillars that align with and contribute to targets under South Africa’s Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, the National Youth Policy 2020–2030, the UN Secretary-General’s Youth2030 Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals. These include:

1. Connecting every school to the internet to ensure every child and young person is digitally connected, able to expand their skills and benefit from 21st century teaching and learning. Through a strategic partnership with GIGA, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Department of Basic Education, the goal is to connect more than 22,000 public schools.
2. Scaling-up online/remote learning, skilling and livelihood platforms through providing access to digital learning and earning pathways for young people.
3. Encouraging entrepreneurship skills and opportunities to enable young people to develop and act on local solutions for local problems.
4. Supporting young people as changemakers, co-creators and partners of various GenU social initiatives, digital platforms and movements.

"Solving important problems is part of our core purpose at PwC, and as a business, we acknowledge the pivotal role we play in investing in the communities in which we operate,” said Dion Shango, PwC Africa CEO.

“As PwC, we are only half the story. Collaborating with Generation Unlimited South Africa allows us to bring our skills and expertise to the table and to also collaborate with other public and private sector players to ensure that millions of young people have the tools and resources they need to transform their lives. Working together enables us to bring our humanity to the fore, and in this way, we will all be directly contributing to sustained solutions for our future generations," added Shango.

Youth from the most marginalized communities, including those from low-income backgrounds, young women, and individuals with disabilities, are targeted through the initiative to ensure equal and inclusive access to opportunities and address systemic inequalities.

The event also saw the launch of the ‘Amagenge’ movement, a youth-led drive to engage and unify young people as they seek to drive positive development individually and as a collective.

“The United Nations is committed to convening partners who can work at the scale needed to tackle the youth unemployment crisis,” said Muffuh. “Only then can we drive sustainable development and achieve our goals by 2030,” he added.