The speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Morakane Mosupyoe, led the 2026 Youth Sector Parliament at Ekurhuleni West TVET College, Kathorus Campus, recently.

This brought together young people from across the province to debate the issues shaping their future.

Held during Youth Month, the sitting carried special weight as South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising.

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The commemoration framed the day’s message: youth must move from remembrance to action.

Delegates included learners, TVET and university students, and youth formations from all Gauteng regions. Proceedings were chaired by C Sithole and T Thejane.

Addressing delegates, Mosupyoe described the Youth Sector Parliament as a dynamic, inclusive platform for active citizenship and constitutional values. “This year coincides with a momentous milestone as we mark 50 years since 16 June 1976.

“This parliament creates a safe space for young people to engage with the realities facing our nation and empowers them to contribute towards solutions.”

Under the theme ‘Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, delegates tackled unemployment, mental health, education access, skills development, GBV, crime, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, climate change, substance abuse and service delivery.

A key highlight was an address by Thuto Mashile, co-chairperson of the Gauteng Youth Advisory Panel.
She said township economies hold the key to inclusive growth.

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“The challenge is not a lack of ideas. The challenge is creating pathways that allow those ideas to grow into sustainable enterprises and decent jobs,” Mashile said.

She urged youth to build co-operatives and businesses in digital services, agriculture, manufacturing, recycling, renewable energy and tech.

Mashile also called for youth-led reforms in education to align with AI, automation and the green economy.

On the 2026 Local Government Elections, she said: “The generation of 1976 demanded a voice. The generation of 2026 must use its voice. Every vote represents an act of democracy, not a tick-box exercise.”
Closing the session, Chairperson of Committees Bishop Dalton Adams assured delegates their resolutions would go to government departments for implementation.

“We are not here to tick boxes. We carry your aspirations, your hopes and your resolutions not on our sleeves, but on our hearts,” Adams said.

He stressed the need for feedback so youth can track progress on their proposals.

“You have the privilege to sit here as honourable members in a parliament, but do not get too comfortable. Grab the spirit, the tenacity and the fight that was in those young people fifty years ago.”

The 2026 Youth Sector Parliament reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to youth participation and showed that young people remain central to building a democratic, inclusive and prosperous Gauteng.