South Africa joined the APRM, Africa’s voluntary self-assessment tool for promoting good governance, in 2003 and has remained committed to the ideals of the continental instrument since undergoing its first country review in 2007. However, young people, a demographic who are key stakeholders and who form a significant proportion of the country’s population – as is the case across the continent – have so far been inadequately engaged and involved in APRM processes. In attempting to bridge this gap and include youth voices in the country’s second generation APRM review, SAIIA partnered with Johannesburg-based Jasoro Consulting to facilitate the collection and compilation of ideas from young South Africans on the key governance challenges facing the country. This policy insight identifies lessons from the process, championing an approach to meaningful youth participation that sees youth as partners in development.
