YOUTH 20 SUMMIT: AFRICAN YOUTH URGED TO TAKE ACTION AND LEAD CHANGE

Johannesburg – The Youth 20 (Y20) Summit, a key engagement group of the G20, has once again put the spotlight on the role of young people in shaping global policy discussions. Speaking exclusively to Channel Africa and SAFM, Tinashe Mpasiri, Director of Corporate Literacy under the Banking on Africa’s Future initiative and composer of the official G20 song, called on African youth to rise to the challenge of influencing policy by taking action and showing leadership.

“The Y20 is just a platform, but it will not do anything for you unless you step up and take initiative,” Mpasiri said. Reflecting on his experience at the Y20 pre-summit held in June at the Innovation Hub in Tshwane, he emphasized that young people must not only demand a seat at the table but also be prepared to engage meaningfully. “I was surprised to see how few young voices spoke out during the summit. We cannot afford to be silent when given opportunities to shape the future,” he added.

When questioned about whether youth voices are truly heard in global platforms, Mpasiri insisted that the challenge lies not only in being heard but in showing consistent action. “I have raised issues like the rule of law and its link to economic development, and I’ve seen these conversations gain traction. But young people need to be proactive and take responsibility within their own communities. It’s not just about talking – what are you doing to make your environment better?” he said, urging youth to lead through volunteerism and community-driven initiatives.

On critical global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and social justice, Mpasiri stressed that poverty, unemployment, and inequality are symptoms of deeper issues. “The real problem is moral decay and corruption, which often starts at the home level. If we can restore integrity and accountability within our families and communities, we can build nations that thrive on fairness and equality,” he explained. He also underscored the importance of the rule of law as an equalizer, enabling individuals to work hard and preserve the value they create.

Responding to questions on the priorities of South Africa’s G20 presidency – including economic growth, industrialization, AI, data governance, and sustainable development – Mpasiri argued that while these issues are not unique to youth, they require innovative approaches to engage young people. “We have to make these themes appealing and understandable, even at grassroots levels. Music, for example, can be a powerful tool to drive literacy on these critical issues,” he said.

As South Africa gears up to host the G20 Summit in November, Mpasiri’s call to action is clear: youth must not wait for change to happen – they must become the drivers of that change.

Below is the link to the exclusive interview between Mr. Tinashe Mpasiri, and Channel Africa and SAFM.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-national-pulse/g20-youth-20-live-16-15-ca-mabu-24-07-2025-zj