South Africa’s Deputy President, Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, is set to deliver the keynote address at the G20 Inter-generational Roundtable on Friday, 27 June 2025. The event, convened by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and forms part of the activities under South Africa’s Presidency of the G20.
The Roundtable is convened under the overarching theme “Advancing Equity, Building Capabilities, and Igniting Innovation”, and is intended to facilitate a high-level policy dialogue across generations. It will bring together youth leaders and activists, policy influencers, captains of industry, and representatives from international organisations and civil society. In doing so, it aims to create a platform for inclusive engagement that places the perspectives and aspirations of young people at the centre of developmental policymaking.
This engagement forms part of South Africa’s broader commitment to positioning young people as critical actors in shaping national and global development agendas. The forum seeks to enhance inter-generational cooperation while addressing systemic barriers that inhibit youth participation in the economy, governance, and innovation-driven industries. Deputy President Mashatile’s address is expected to underscore the strategic importance of youth inclusion in building a resilient and transformative developmental state.
As the current Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), the Deputy President’s role in this Roundtable aligns with his mandate to foster human capital development through collaborative governance and long-term investment in youth potential. His speech will address policy instruments for youth advancement, including South Africa’s strategic alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the catalytic role of innovation and education in driving equitable growth.
According to a recent report from the World Bank, over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, highlighting the critical need for youth-targeted development strategies. In response, the South African government, through the NYDA and other interdepartmental structures, has placed youth empowerment at the forefront of its national agenda. The G20 Inter-generational Roundtable marks a key milestone in this strategic direction, providing a forum to reflect on progress, identify gaps, and forge collaborative pathways forward.
International development partners, including representatives from the African Union and G20 member states, are expected to contribute to the dialogue. Their participation signals a recognition that youth development is not a peripheral concern but a central pillar in the global pursuit of sustainable development and economic resilience.
The significance of this Roundtable extends beyond symbolic representation. It reflects a deliberate move towards institutionalising youth participation in policymaking frameworks, consistent with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
The outcomes of the G20 Inter-generational Roundtable are anticipated to inform future policy directives within South Africa’s G20 Presidency and beyond. They are expected to reinforce South Africa’s leadership in championing youth-led innovation, equitable growth, and inclusive governance on the global stage.
South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20 in 2025, marking the first time the country leads the influential multilateral forum. The G20 Presidency represents an opportunity to steer international focus towards African development priorities, particularly youth empowerment, in an era defined by demographic transformation and technological disruption.
