Put young women, especially those in rural areas, at the centre of development

We began our term as the newly appointed National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) board on the first day of Women’s Month — a time  when South Africa honours the courage and resilience of the women of 1956. This year we  commemorate women’s month under a powerful and urgent theme: “Building resilient economies for  all”. 

But let us ask ourselves, who do we truly mean

Across our provinces, young women continue to carry a disproportionate burden of unemployment, exclusion and unpaid care work. 

These young women are not lacking in potential, talent or drive. What they often lack is access to finance, to information, to safe spaces and to real opportunities. When we speak of building resilient economies, we must ensure these women are not an afterthought. They must be central to everything we design, fund and deliver. While incredible work must be applauded, we must, for the sake of progress and development and strengthening our democracy, ensure we are honest about these realities so we can find solutions and move forward together. 

We contend that although there is a crisis of access, young women demonstrate resilience. In  communities that are far from major urban centres, we see them sustaining local economies because it is they who are running informal businesses (salons and selling fruits and vegetables), often with no formal support or training. They are leading community responses to crises and caring for families, while seeking opportunities for self-improvement 

But resilience alone should not be the standard they are asked to uphold. Our role as public institutions is to ensure they are also re

As we are in Women’s Month I was reminded of the work

In his work he documents both the progress and setbacks South Africa has faced in its journey to build  a post-apartheid developmental state. One of the critical insights emerging from this body of work is that although policies such as broad-based black economic empowerment (broad-based BBEE) have made strides, they often fall short of the deeper, more strategic state interventions characteristic of successful developmental states. I agree with Dr Mabasa’s argument that our model of  empowerment has leaned too heavily on a limited set of state functions — primarily procurement,  partial privatisation, regulation and legislative development — without embedding broader  developmental goals. 

In contrast, developmental states typically go further

The state must strengthen its ability to navigate and align a diverse set of economic interests, especially those shaped

This perspective is especially urgent when we consider the structural barriers that continue to  marginalise young women and prevent them from participating meaningfully in the  economy. Building a resilient and inclusive economy demands that we centre their experiences and  potential. Expanding state capacity must go hand-in-hand with focused, gender-responsive  interventions that empower young rural women not just as participants but as drivers of economic  transformation. 

As we reflect on global examples, particularly the experiences of developmental states in Southeast Asia, we must ask ourselves: how do we increase and fast track efforts to reindustrialise and rebuild  inclusively after years of economic stagnation? How do we ensure that empowerment translates into shared prosperity, tangible transformation and long-term resilience? For us as young people, this is not just an economic question, it is a matter of justice and national  survival. 

One can boast about the work done

As part of fulfilling the NYDA’s vision of creating “a credible, capable, inclusive and activist development agency that is responsive to the plight of South Africa’s youth”, the agency has embarked on various programmes aimed at fulfilling its vision. The work of the NYDA has been underpinned

We must, however, do more. We must ensure greater access to our opportunities, ensuring that young women in rural areas and townships can access funding and mentorship and skills development without barriers. We must also, in designing our programmes, consider the real conditions that young women face to make participation practical and safe — lack of transport, childcare responsibilities and digital exclusion. These factors must not be seen as personal obstacles, they are systemic issues we are mandated to address. 

Furthermore, we must also do more in working with our partners in local government, education and civil society and ensure our initiatives reach the last mile — not only those near metropolitan centres. 

Moreover, we must ensure we create platforms where we develop programmes with young women and not for young women. The voices of young women must be elevated in government and in policy and practice. Their lived experiences are policy expertise. 

The gender question is not a standalone stream of work. It is not a line item. It is not an  optional pillar. It is the foundation of effective, sustainable youth development. 

As we commemorate Women’s Month as the NYDA board, and as public servants, we call on all political heads and officials working in government to recommit to ensuring that every programme is assessed through a gender-responsive lens — from its planning and budgeting to its implementation and evaluation. Women and children must not be left behind. This is our commitment as the NYDA  board. 

We contend that we must build boldly — but also wisely. A resilient economy is one that does not leave people behind. And if we are to build one for all, then we must prioritise those who have too often been excluded, that is young women in our rural and township communities. 

They are not waiting to be saved — they are ready to lead. Our job is to ensure the path is open, the  tools are accessible, and the support is unwavering. 

Dr Sunshine Minenhle Myende is the chairperson of the NYDA board.