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As part of a roundtable on the economy of spaza shops held on Tuesday in KwaZulu-Natal, major private sector partners, including Uber South Africa, Shoprite, and Takealot, together with provincial government leaders, presented a strategy to combat youth unemployment through the first and last-mile delivery sector.

Strategy for supporting small businesses

At this event, organized by KZN Premier Tamsanga Ntuli and the Minister of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Reverend Musa Zondi in Durban, private sector representatives outlined their initiatives to support the economies of rural areas, urban settlements, and spaza shops.

Maud Modis from Shoprite Group reported that they sent a letter to the head of the EDTEA department via the Durban Chamber of Commerce, seeking the best way to collaborate with the department, similar to how Uber and Takealot operate. The discussion focused on three key aspects:

• Market access: The opportunity to interact with KZN producers.
• Spaza support: Strengthening purchasing power by improving local ecosystem infrastructure.
• Last-mile delivery: Ensuring effective participation in the delivery sector.

Need for an intersectoral approach

Modis emphasized that systemic solutions to last-mile delivery problems require joint efforts from several government structures beyond EDTEA. These structures include the Department of Licensing (for managing licensing and sanitary compliance), the Department of Transport (to assist with slot booking), and the Department of Economic Development (to provide asset financing).

According to her, this collaborative approach aims to solve broader market access issues rather than just meeting the needs of individual companies. Modis added that cooperation would help improve or assist the government in developing skills across the entire KZN community, not just within a specific company partnership.

Prospects for youth in delivery

Ofentse Madisha, Head of Public Policy at Uber South Africa, stated the commitment to creating pathways for youth involvement in the first and last-mile economy. He noted that besides motorcycles, various assets such as quad bikes and micro-enterprise vehicles can be utilized in this economy, opening significant opportunities for building a more sustainable delivery system.

Madisha also pointed out that the KZN settlement economy includes three strategic priorities: capital turnover, market access, and e-commerce. Private sector leaders, including Uber and Shoprite, are working with government officials to empower youth through delivery initiatives.

Challenges and proposed model

Madisha highlighted the necessity of integrating young people into partnerships and collaboration models. He also raised the issue of retaining youth in the delivery sector. He stated that the goal is to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors in this ecosystem through a targeted, focused, and practical approach.

He pointed to a severe shortage of commercial transport operators. Data shows that about 7% of unemployed youth have driver's licenses, but the situation is worse for the motorcycle industry: only 0.02% of youth possess or claim to possess motorcycle licenses. Madisha proposed creating a path toward industrialization.

The proposed model is four-way: attracting youth through databases like Harambee and local channels; licensing, where inefficiency in issuing motorcycle licenses due to insufficient testing center slots is noted; financing, providing trained and licensed youth with funds to acquire assets; and market access, which is provided by the companies. Madisha explained that the model is simple: a person finds a young person, trains them in driving and delivery, offers a path to obtaining a license, then provides asset and business financing, and the platforms provide market access. This model was previously successfully applied when onboarding over 2000 restaurants in the settlements.

According to the African Youth Survey 2026, young Africans demonstrate a higher level of optimism about the future than at any point since the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, serious issues persist, such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, and corruption. Meanwhile, South African youth emerged as one of the most pessimistic groups on the continent.

General Trends and Economic Outlook

The survey, published on Tuesday, indicates growing confidence in national economies and the future of Africa following a period of uncertainty. These results come amid increasing pressure on many African governments, which are forced to address youth unemployment, rising prices, and public demands for greater accountability and economic opportunities.

Regional Contrasts

The positive continental outlook did not translate to South Africa, where youth ranked among the least optimistic regarding both their country's future and the direction of Africa's development. The survey found that 69% of respondents from South Africa believe that Africa is moving in the wrong direction, placing them alongside Kenyan youth as among the most pessimistic on the continent. Furthermore, South Africa was listed among countries where youth were most pessimistic about their trajectory, economy, security, or overall global outlook.

Successes and Priorities

In contrast, Rwanda demonstrated the highest level of confidence in its national direction, while Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zambia recorded significant improvements in optimism compared to the previous survey. Among the eight countries tracked in each release since 2020, 47% of respondents stated that their country is moving in the right direction, which is higher than the 30% figure in 2024. Confidence in national economies also rose: 45% noted the economy moving in the right direction, compared to 26% two years ago, and 43% stated that Africa itself is moving in the right direction.

Key Challenges for the Continent

Despite the increased optimism, young Africans identified the rising cost of living as the most significant problem affecting the continent over the past five years. When asked what Africa needs most to accelerate progress, respondents ranked the creation of well-paid jobs first, followed by reducing government corruption. More younger than ever, they stated that governments should simplify the process of starting a business.

Security and Democracy

The survey also established a strong link between employment and public safety. More than half of respondents believe that creating jobs for youth will have a greater positive impact on security than increasing military spending. This confirms the view that unemployment and poverty are not only economic but also threats to stability and social cohesion. Ivo Ichikovic, founder and commissioner of the African Youth Survey, noted: 'This optimism should not be confused with satisfaction. It is not an expression of trust in the status quo.' He added that 'young Africans still believe in this continent, but they are no longer willing to confuse hope with patience while battling the cost of living, unemployment, corruption, and governments that talk too much about the future while excluding the generation that must live in it.'

Political Participation and International Relations

The poll also revealed strong support for democratic governance: 73% of respondents believe that democracy is preferable to any other system of rule. However, 56% stated that the Western model of democracy is unsuitable for Africa, calling for a model that better reflects the continent's realities while maintaining free and fair elections, freedom of speech, and equality before the law. Instead of rejecting democracy, respondents want a system capable of ensuring both political freedoms and economic opportunities. Despite the disappointments, 84% of respondents are confident that youth will be able to significantly influence political decision-making within the next five years, although 76% believe that political leaders remain detached from the needs and aspirations of their generation.

Methodology and Foreign Policy

The survey was commissioned by the Ichikovic Family Foundation and conducted by PSB Insights. In March 2026, it covered 4,901 young people aged 18 to 24 across 16 countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Brazzaville Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This is the largest edition of the survey since its launch in 2020. The results also showed that young Africans adopt a pragmatic approach to international relations, preferring that governments prioritize partnerships that ensure trade, investment, and infrastructure, rather than ideological alignment. Infrastructure investment and economic growth were valued higher than political alignment when choosing international partners, with China and the United States named as the two most influential external powers on the continent. Ichikovic emphasized that the results demonstrate this generation's understanding of the close link between prosperity and security, asserting that 'prosperity is one of the most powerful forms of security.'

Gauteng Governor Panyisa Letsufi introduced the province's Human Resources Development Council, which is designed to prepare workers for the needs of the future economy.

Launch of Initiative and Support

The Gauteng Human Resources Development Council (GHRDC) was officially launched on Tuesday at the University of South Africa (Unisa). The goal of this initiative is to equip workers with the necessary skills for the rapidly evolving labor market.

Cosatu representative Amos Monyela expressed strong support for the newly launched GHRDC. Monyela emphasized that the Council will play a key role in supporting continuous staff development and reskilling, especially as artificial intelligence and new technologies transform the workforce.

Vision for Economic Growth

Letsufi, accompanied by Deputy Minister Dr Nomusa Dube-Nkube, stated that the GHRDC serves as a roadmap for developing a skilled workforce that meets the economic demands of the province. He described a vision where youth will make a significant contribution to the economy.

The Governor shared dreams of a high-speed train connecting Gauteng with Limpopo, to be operated by young women from local communities, as well as technology-equipped classrooms for modern education, where every student will have a tablet and the teacher a laptop.

Council Objectives and Activist Appointment

Letsufi stressed that investing in people and developing relevant competencies is critical for stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life for Gauteng residents. The GHRDC aims to ensure a close link between education and skills development with the province's changing economy, including AI-based healthcare systems, transport modernization, and advanced crime-fighting technologies.

During the event, public activist Vuyo Sibiya was also appointed to the council. Sibiya assured that he would do everything possible to ensure that youth, especially from rural areas, have access to skills development and employment opportunities.