The uMshwathi Local Municipality successfully hosted its Youth Summit on 26 June 2026 at The Breeze Inn, bringing together young people, government institutions, development agencies and municipal leadership to empower the youth with knowledge, skills and opportunities for personal and economic growth. The summit formed part of the municipality’s ongoing commitment to addressing youth unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and encouraging active participation in community development.
The programme was officially opened by Cllr S.K. Nxumalo and outlined the purpose of the Youth Summit, highlighting the municipality’s vision of creating sustainable opportunities for young people. The summit featured informative presentations from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on youth entrepreneurship support programmes, SEDFA on unlocking economic opportunities through enterprise development and capacity building, the Department of Employment and Labour on tackling youth unemployment, and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which encouraged young people to register to vote, participate in democratic processes and become active citizens in shaping the future of their communities. A lively question-and-answer session allowed participants to engage directly with presenters and receive practical guidance on available opportunities.
The event was attended by members of the Municipal Council, including Cllr N.E. Cebekhulu, who reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to investing in the development of young people. The programme concluded with an inspiring address by His Worship the Mayor, Cllr G.M. Zondi, who urged the youth to take advantage of government programmes, develop entrepreneurial skills and become agents of positive change within their communities. The summit concluded with a networking lunch, giving participants an opportunity to interact with stakeholders and explore future partnerships that will contribute to building a more prosperous and inclusive uMshwathi.