Introduction

Mainstreaming of youth is one of the key strategic priorities of the South African government priorities, as such, the Department of Water and Sanitation, through the Chief Directorate: Intergovernmental Relations & Strategic partnership, Sector Transformation (Youth, Gender and Disability) and Provincial governance in supporting the work of government, will be hosting the National Youth Indaba conference in the water and sanitation sector in partnership with Lepelle Northern Water Board.

The 2024 National Youth Indaba will be held in Limpopo at The Ranch -Protea Hotel from 22 to 25 July 2024 under the theme ‘Actively embracing the socio-economic gains of our democracy”.

This year’s Water and Sanitation Youth Indaba will bring together a plethora of knowledge amongst the 400 participants in the WASH sector from various backgrounds, including unemployed individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, young professionals and civil society organisations.

The line up of speakers includes world recognised trailblazers, youth leaders in their varying portfolios, acute businessman and women, experience and skilled government officials, higher institutions of learning and a mixture of knowledgeable and experience knowledgeable representatives from the Water Boards, Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs), Water Research Commission (WRC) and representatives from the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW).

Key Focus Area

The National Youth Indaba focus area are guided by the Water and Sanitation Youth Strategy with special focus on the following:

1. Innovations and Entrepreneurship
2. Challenges and Opportunities in South Africa's Water and Sanitation Sector
3. South Africa's Water Issues in a Global Context (Climate)
4. Education and Career Opportunities within the Sector

The National Youth Indaba aims to provide a platform for engagement and exchange of knowledge and technical expertise that will improve sector’s governance and transformation. Through skills development and job creation, this will promote inter-departmental relations as outlined in the five pillars of Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) youth strategy.

Significant outcomes emerged for consideration in the 2023 youth indaba conference wherein formulation and approval of the Action Plan Framework was realised. The 2024 National Youth Indaba will focus on the implementations of the 2023 recommendations and the launching of South African Water and Sanitation Youth Network.

Amongst the key stakeholders that will participate at this conference, will be the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) which promotes continental collaborations in the water and sanitation sector.

Objectives

To provide opportunities for engagement and exchange of knowledge and technical expertise that will improve sector governance and transformation. Specific objectives include:

1. Highlighting progress in implementing the DWS Youth Development Strategy.
2. Understanding national water and sanitation issues and government priorities.
3. Providing youth with information, opportunities, and technical resources.
4. Empowering youth to participate in decision-making.
5. Establishing partnerships with the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders.
6. Recognising youth innovations and achievements.
7. Encouraging community involvement in the Water and Sanitation Sector.
8. Launching the South African Water and Sanitation Youth Network Implementation Framework.

Expected Outcomes

The 2024 Indaba aims to achieve:

1. Improved understanding of government priorities.
2. Sharing progress and generating ideas to address challenges.
3. Empowerment of youth through access to opportunities and resources.
4. Leveraging on the Africa Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) Youth and Gender Inclusion Strategy.
5. Promotion of career development, leadership, and skills acquisition.
6. Establishment of innovative ideas, entrepreneurship, and partnerships.
7. Adoption of the South African Water and Sanitation Youth Network framework.
8. Creation of synergies among municipalities, CMAs, Water Boards, and stakeholders.