On Saturday, 17 January 2026, the future took a seat at the table. Young leaders from across the Matzikama Municipality convened with JLA-South Africa and the municipality to formally launch the Matzikama Youth Steering Committee marking a significant step forward for youth participation in local governance and development.
This space is intentionally designed to give young people a real voice: to help shape decisions, co-design solutions, and strengthen accountability within their communities. The inaugural meeting clearly demonstrated that when young people come together with purpose and structure, meaningful change becomes possible.
The establishment of the Matzikama Youth Steering Committee represents an important move toward institutionalising youth participation in municipal decision-making and development planning. The Committee provides a structured platform through which young people can contribute to policy discussions, engage constructively with local leadership, and play an active role in shaping development outcomes.
This initiative reflects a shared commitment by JLA–South Africa and the Matzikama Municipality to move beyond consultation toward meaningful youth inclusion where youth perspectives actively inform policy, programme design, and implementation. By embedding youth voices within governance structures, the Committee supports more responsive, inclusive, and future-fit development for Matzikama.
