Thank you to everyone who joined us. The full Youth Month webinar — turning the legacy of 1976 into real pathways for South Africa's next generation — is now available to watch on demand.
The Soweto Uprising represented a generation demanding access, opportunity and dignity through education. Today, the conversation must evolve beyond access alone.
South Africa now faces the challenge of ensuring education leads to employability, entrepreneurship and economic participation — particularly across the energy and water sectors that are central to our economic future and the Just Energy Transition.
This webinar examined how stakeholders can create sustainable pathways that support young people throughout the year — not only during moments of crisis or commemoration.
A generation stood at the forefront of the struggle for education, dignity and opportunity.
The responsibility remains ours — to turn skills investment into real jobs, inclusion and economic participation.
“Fifty years after the Soweto Uprising, the responsibility remains ours to create meaningful pathways that connect education, skills, employability and economic participation for every young South African.”
The webinar explored five interconnected themes shaping youth participation in the energy and water sectors.
Building relevant skills for the future economy — artisan development, TVET strengthening and occupational training aligned to sector demand.
Preparing youth for meaningful employment — workplace exposure, internships, apprenticeships and pathways that lead to real absorption.
Creating access to entrepreneurship and economic inclusion — supporting SMMEs, the informal sector and young people as economic actors.
Strengthening partnerships between education and industry — strategic employer engagement linked to youth absorption and sector capability.
Aligning education outcomes with labour market needs — Recognition of Prior Learning, inclusion of women and persons with disabilities, and measurable progress.
Thank you to our panellists and to everyone who joined the conversation.
The webinar has wrapped, but the full conversation lives on. Catch up on the complete recording any time on YouTube or Facebook, and share it with colleagues, learners and your networks.
Missed it live? The full recording is available on Inside Education's channels — watch, revisit the discussion and share it on.
