Hundreds of young people and community members have gathered at the Thusong Service Centre in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, to participate in a Presidential Youth Engagement aimed at amplifying youth voices ahead of next year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Originally expected to be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the session will now be led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who will engage directly with young people during the roundtable discussions.
The engagement forms part of a broader series of consultations with various stakeholders in preparation for the 2026 State of the Nation Address, scheduled to take place at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday.
The roundtable is being hosted in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency in the Presidency and is intended to provide a platform for young people to raise concerns, share proposals, and contribute to shaping government priorities.
Organisers say the discussions will focus on issues affecting youth, including employment, education, and economic opportunities, as government seeks to incorporate grassroots input into national planning.