The role of civil society organisations in the implementation of youth policy in South Africa
Date
2017
Authors
Mudimu, Rufaro
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Abstract
Since the development of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the year 2000
and Beyond (United Nations, 2010), youth and the associated development issues that
affect and are effected by them have risen to prominence. In South Africa, 66% of the
population are under the age of 34 (the cut-off age for youth), and 36% are between the
ages of 15-34 years old, and there is a general perception and concern that current
youth policy is failing (Maupa, 2013; NUMSA Bulletin basic, 2014; Setiloane, 2014;
South African Broadcasting Corporation, 2011). From anecdotal evidence, personal
experience as a youth development practitioner and brief analysis of the literature, there
appears to be limited strategic and deliberate engagement of youth and youth-oriented
CSOs in the youth policy formulation and implementation process.
The purpose of this research is to explore the perceived and real barriers to the
involvement of CSOs in youth policy implementation in South Africa. A policy
implementation research lens is applied in a broad analysis of the National Youth Policy
2015-2020 and its implementation, exploration of the involvement of CSOs in the policy
process and assessment of perceived and real barriers of involvement for CSOs. The
research study was an attempt to address the identified knowledge gap regarding youth
policy implementation in the South African context (O’Toole, 2000; Saetren, 2005) and
the potential role of civil society in that policy process. To some extent, the data,
findings and analysis discussed addressed the knowledge gap in that they described
how the youth policy is being implemented; identified the key role players in the
implementation, and the ways in which civil society may be involved. The research
findings and analysis answered the research questions, revealing the barriers to civil
society, the nature of youth and CSO engagement by government. In conclusion, this
study sheds light on the policy implementation, youth engagement, and civil society
involvement, providing clarity and recommendations that may enhance youth
participation and civil society and state partnership in policy implementation.
Description
Research Report submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand, School of
Governance in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Management
in Public and Development Management (50% Research)
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Citation
Mudimu, Rufaro (2016) The role of civil society organisations in the implementation of youth policy in South Africa,University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, < http://hdl.handle.net/10539/23365>