The Legislature hosted the Youth Sectoral Parliament chaired by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Collen Maine

Amongst the attendees of the event were over 600 young people across the province, Members of the Provincial Legislature, Hon. Nathan Oliphant, Hon. Justice Dabampe, Hon. Smuts Matshe, Hon. Sipho Dial; Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Youth, Women and People with Disabilities, Steve Letsike who addressed young people, and representatives from different government departments and state entities.

Different government departments, public entities, education institutions and private sector partners which include Department of Economic Development; Department of Higher Education and Training; Office of the Premier; Small Enterprise Development Agency; North West University; Industrial Development Corporation; North West Development Corporation and various mining, ICT and manufacturing companies were also present at the event with exhibition stalls. They provided young people with access to economic opportunities; bursaries and scholarships; linked unemployed youth to employment and internship opportunities; promote entrepreneurship and youth-owned businesses and connect the youth with funding institutions and enterprise development agencies.

Amongst key issues addressed by young people was lack of socioeconomic opportunities in the rural areas; lack of funding for youth cooperatives; need to establish the provincial youth skills database; lack of feedback from provincial departments and entities on issues raised during the 2025 Youth Sectoral Parliament held at Potchefstroom; learnership and internship programs that must be converted into permanent employment opportunities, and request for free application and registration in universities and colleges.
Director: Youth Advocacy Coordination at the Office of the Premier, Ms. Kebaabetswe Nkate said procurement opportunities in the provincial departments has increased from 10 percent in 2024/25 to 25 percent in the 2025/26 financial year which equates to R1,3 billion of the provincial fiscus. “Efforts to reduce youth unemployment has been implemented through interventions which include creating work opportunities through programs such as Expanded Public Works Programme; Youth Entrepreneur Services; Presidential Youth Initiative Programme and other key economic programs. Priority was given to recruiting unemployed graduates, women, and youth from rural and township communities in various sectors.

“The province further strengthened collaboration with institutions such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), and the Department of Employment and Labour to expand access to skills development, business funding, and workplace exposure opportunities,” said Ms. Nkate.
Deputy Minister Letsike said the young people of the North West Province needs to effectively utilize the youth.mobi site of the government which has many opportunities. “It is shocking that out of the 2,7 million registered users of this important platform, only 5000 is from this province. We should strengthen and own this site that can help with the unemployment, inequality and poverty through economic opportunities and funding mechanisms for youth including those from the Department of Small Businesses through Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

“We need to reflect on the available opportunities especially those in the province and many sectors on the site which are ready to absorb the growing population of young people. We want youth that can be able to work the land and self-finance their businesses so that they can also employ their peers. Unlike the youth of 1976 who fought for the better future, the youth of today should opt for the current and presence not the future opportunities,” said Deputy Minister Letsike

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