By the youth and for the youth, this innovative platform invites young leaders to step into unofficial "minister" roles, presenting their ideas on future issues and how to address them.
The format recreates a parliamentary setting without political parties, instead encouraging constructive conversations about leadership, civic participation, and the future of South Africa among the country's young adults. Some of the themes at this year's edition include tech & AI, youth employment, health, cyber-safety, climate change, and gender-based violence & femicide (GBVF).
With 2026 marking the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising and a municipal election year, the State of the Youth Address aims to foster spaces for solution-oriented dialogue among young leaders, civil society, professionals, and institutions.