Parliament, Friday, 28 August 2026 – Parliament, through its Research Unit, will on Monday, 31 August 2026, host a Youth Colloquium and Youth Innovation Expo under the theme: “Youth employment, economic growth, skills and challenges faced by young people in the labour market.”
The colloquium will bring together young people, policymakers, educators, industry representatives and civil society to deliberate on the challenges confronting young people in the labour market, including skills gaps, systemic barriers to employment and the need for meaningful youth participation in the digital economy.
The colloquium seeks to examine the gaps between evolving labour market demands and the capacity of education and training systems to respond. As the skills landscape shifts towards digital literacy, creativity, innovation and adaptability, many young people continue to face barriers to acquiring relevant skills and accessing employment and economic opportunities. Discussions will explore ways to strengthen education and training systems, address skills gaps and create more effective pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in the changing economy.
A key feature of the programme will be the Youth Innovation Expo, which will showcase youth-led solutions and initiatives in areas including technology, green innovation, creative industries and community development. The expo will provide young innovators with an opportunity to demonstrate their ideas, products and solutions while engaging with policymakers, industry and other stakeholders.
The colloquium will provide an interactive platform for participants and members of the audience to engage with panellists through comments and questions.
The programme takes place against the backdrop of Youth Day, which commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when young people mobilised against an unequal and discriminatory education system. The legacy of the 1976 generation continues to inform national conversations on youth development, education and economic opportunity.
Details of the youth colloquium are as follows:
Date: Monday, 31 August 2026
Time: 09h00–17h00
Venue: The Dome, Parliament, and online platform
Important to note:
Members of the media who wish to attend the colloquium in person should send their details (full name, name of the media house, and ID or passport number) to Malentsoe Magwagwa at mmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za or via WhatsApp on 081 716 5824.
Parliamentary meetings are open to the media and the members of the public. Journalists who are interested in covering these meetings (including receiving links to virtual meetings) are requested to forward their cellphone numbers to Mlindi Mpindi at email mmpindi@parliament.gov.za for inclusion in the Parliamentary Communication Services WhatsApp Group, where such information is shared. Journalists are urged to forward these requests using their official email addresses (no private emails).
Members of the public may get involved and follow committee sittings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), via live stream on the Parliament YouTube channel, and Twitter page on the links below. You may subscribe to the Parliament YouTube channel to receive instant notification of live feeds.
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/ParliamentofRSA
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ParliamentofRSA
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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