By REGINALD KANYANE
29 September 2025 – The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, today called for stronger youth participation in parliaments and global decision-making platforms. Didiza addressed the P20 Young Parliamentarians Forum held under the theme: “Young Parliamentarians as Drivers of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
She further said the meeting is taking place ahead of the 11th Parliamentary Speakers Summit (P20) scheduled for 1 to 3 October 2025. Didiza added that young people remain a vital force for shaping inclusive, sustainable and peaceful societies.
“We need to underline the importance of harnessing the energy, innovation and perspectives of young leaders. Young people are a powerhouse in exploring solutions to the problems of the modern world. Their perspectives, energy and inventive ideas are critical in helping us find original solutions needed for today’s challenges.
“Although progress has been made, young people continue to be under-represented in many legislatures worldwide. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), only 2.8% of the world’s parliamentarians are under the age of 30, and 73% of Upper Houses have no members under the age of 30,” she said.
Didiza informed delegates that South Africa encourages youth participation in Parliament through political party processes and youth activism, which has ensured that the voices of young people are included in both Houses. She also highlighted several pressing issues confronting young people worldwide.
“These include persistently high levels of unemployment and poverty; the effects of conflict, instability and migration, which disproportionately affect youth; the severe consequences of climate change, also burdening younger generations; and limited access to education, skills development and digital opportunities.
“We urge parliaments to use their oversight powers to advance policies that promote youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, decent work, and access to technology, while also ensuring the responsible regulation of artificial intelligence,” said Didiza.
She said as they promote societies founded on democracy and respect for human rights, they must be conscious that young people are often the most affected by the decisions they make today. Didiza said it is no longer acceptable to take decisions without their voices.
She also emphasised the need for solidarity and international cooperation to build inclusive economies and address global challenges such as inequality, climate change and geopolitical tensions. Didiza said the actions and decisions they take today must ensure that young people, particularly in the Global South, gain meaningful access to economic opportunities and play a central role in shaping a just and sustainable future.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially open the 11th Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) on 1 October 2025. The outcomes of this Summit will inform parliamentary deliberations on issues such as unemployment, education, healthcare, and sustainable development in South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world,”she said.
The Guardian 