Mbombela – The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, in collaboration with Ehlanzeni District Municipality, recently hosted the Youth Infrastructure Dialogue Series, a bold initiative aimed at empowering young people by opening access to opportunities in infrastructure development.
The event, held as part of Youth Month celebrations, brought together youth from across the district to engage with government, private sector representatives, and development institutions. Through presentations and dialogue, participants were exposed to opportunities in infrastructure careers, entrepreneurship, and skills development.
MEC Thulasizwe Thomo emphasised that the event was not just another ceremonial occasion, but a key part of the Department’s Youth Mainstreaming Programme. “We are here to ensure young people are not spectators, but planners, builders, and innovators within the infrastructure economy,” said a departmental representative.
The Dialogue comes at a time when young people face challenges such as unemployment, economic exclusion, and limited access to opportunities. Yet, it also highlighted the resilience, creativity and ambition of Mpumalanga’s youth. It follows the recent Provincial Youth Parliament and the 7th National Youth Parliament sitting under the theme: “Youth Economic Participation, Employment and Opportunities – Developing a Medium-Term Youth Development Agenda for South Africa’s Youth.”
Speakers acknowledged the rapidly changing world, marked by poverty, inequality, and technological disruption, and called for proactive engagement by youth in shaping their future.
The Department also committed to making the infrastructure sector more inclusive, describing it as a space that offers not just physical structures, but also mobility, access, and dignity.
Several initiatives were highlighted, including the Artisan Development Programme, Internships, Learnerships, the Young Professionals Programme, and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) with youth-focused streams. The Sakh’abakhi Emerging Contractor Programme and Scholar Transport Programme were also noted as contributors to youth empowerment.
Over 275 interns are currently completing a two-year internship, with 100 more added in June 2025. An additional 240 learners are enrolled in accredited learnerships. R82.4 million has been unlocked through strategic partnerships with SETAs, with R63.4 million dedicated specifically to unemployed youth.
Premier Mandla Ndlovu reaffirmed the province’s commitment to creating 300,000 sustainable jobs in the next five years, many through infrastructure development.
“We’re not just laying bricks; we’re laying foundations for a youth-led, inclusive Mpumalanga,” said the department in closing.
Quoting Chinua Achebe, the Department left attendees with a message of action: “The world is like a mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place.”
