Abstract
South Africa’s demographic profile is characterised by a large youth population, which presents both a significant opportunity and an urgent policy priority. Despite the existence of national frameworks like the National Youth Policy (2020–2030) and regional strategies such as the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Development Strategy (KwaZulu-Natal provincial government 2014), young people in KwaZulu-Natal continue to face disproportionate challenges, including high unemployment rates, pervasive poverty, limited skills acquisition, and heightened exposure to crime and violence. In Q1 2022, KZN recorded the nation’s highest youth unemployment rate at 59.3%, underscoring a crisis in development and governance. This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of youth development initiatives implemented by the KZN government, identifying key factors that either facilitate or impede the successful advancement of youth in the province.
Based on the theoretical frameworks of Positive Youth Development Theory, Community Youth Development Theory, and Humanistic Theory, the study adopts a qualitative case study methodology. To collect data, questionnaires were distributed to government officials and youth participants from various districts. The study also triangulates primary data with a thorough analysis of secondary resources such as legislative and policy documents, academic research, and official reports. Applying thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti software, the study examines attitudes towards the planning, execution, and impacts of provincial youth development programmes.
The study uncovers major gaps relating to policy, institutional coordination, political will, and youth participation. While government policy exists, this is often inadequately enforced, under-resourced, and not as responsive to the everyday circumstances of young people. The study identifies enabling conditions for effective youth development in the form of interdepartmental coordination, focused resource deployment, sustained political will, and participatory planning where the voices of youth take centre stage. Based on the research findings, the study presents a youth-oriented and impact-driven framework sensitive to the provincial environment that provides practical and evidence-based advice on how to deepen the governance of youth development.