The Youth Dialogue Initiative (YDI) says the 2026/2027 national budget provides the first real opportunity for government to translate the declaration of youth unemployment as a national disaster into tangible interventions.
The organisation called on parliament to engage constructively and in good faith by outlining key issues that, from the perspective of young people, deserve clear policy direction.
“We urge that the budget clearly outlines funded programmes, timelines, and accountability mechanisms aimed at largescale job creation, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods for young people,” YDI noted.
It further indicated that without meaningful financial allocation, the declaration risks remaining symbolic rather than transformative.
In a recent letter to the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr RetŝelisitsoeMatlanyane, signed by YDI member TumeloMoteuli, the youth grouping demanded concrete budgetary commitment.
It said the 2026/2027 national budget to be presented to parliament by Matlanyane next month would be particularly significant as it is the first following the declaration of youth unemployment as a national disaster by Prime Minister Sam Matekane on June 18 last year.
“We equally noted the subsequent Government Gazette of July 7, 2025, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara which officially proclaimed youth unemployment as national disaster under Disaster Management Act of 1997 to remain in effect until June 30, 2027. This therefore carries heightened expectations for measurable action,” YDI said.
The organisation stated that the declaration of youth unemployment as a national disaster was an important acknowledgement of the scale and urgency of the crisis.
It pointed out that this year’s budget provides the first real opportunity to translate that declaration into tangible interventions.
“We urge that the budget clearly outline funded programmes, timelines, and accountability mechanisms aimed at largescale job creation, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods for young people.
“Without meaningful financial allocation, the declaration risks remaining symbolic rather than transformative. As we always affirm; nothing for the youth without the youth,” YDI added.
During dialogues hosted by the organisation between April and December 2025 in the districts, young people emphasised the importance and the urgency of enacting the National Youth Development Bill, 2024.
They also called for the establishment of a national youth council. This would be significant step towards fostering inclusive governance and ensuring that youth voices are actively represented in national and international decision making processes.
YDI further expressed concern over the growing challenge of substance abuse, particularly among young people.
“We encourage the budget to prioritise the establishment of at least one fully resourced national rehabilitation centre, complemented by prevention, treatment, and reintegration programmes.
“Investing in rehabilitation is not only a health intervention but also a long-term economic and social safeguard,” it indicated.
The youth also identified access to finance as one of the greatest barriers facing young entrepreneurs.
As a result, they proposed that the budget prioritise youth-friendly financial instruments, including low-interest loans, grants, guarantees, and business development support that are accessible, transparent, and responsive to the realities of young people.
Support should extend beyond start-up capital to include mentorship, market access, and value-chain integration, they added.
“We’re also making a special request to your good office to increase the budget that is meant specifically for youth programmes like Youth Employment Promotion, National Volunteer Corps (NVC), Technical and Vocational Education and Trainings (TVET) and Social Compact, to name a few,” YDI said in the letter to Matlanyane.
