The Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF), represented by its Regional Coordinator, Misheck Gondo, marked a historic milestone during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF), a momentous event that underscored the power of strategic partnerships in advancing youth empowerment, governance, and sustainable development across the region.
Held amidst great anticipation, the ceremony also witnessed the signing of MoUs between SADC-PF and other key organizations, including Oxfam, the Election Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC), the Forum of Parliaments of the Member-States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR), and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), reflecting a robust, multisectoral approach to addressing regional challenges.
In his address, Misheck Gondo emphasized the transformative potential of the SAYoF-SADC-PF partnership, framing it as more than just an agreement but a dynamic alliance designed to amplify youth voices in legislative processes, policy-making, and governance. He highlighted the longstanding collaboration between SAYoF and SADC-PF, citing milestones such as youth participation in Plenary Assemblies, the adoption of youth-driven recommendations, and joint initiatives on tobacco control, sexual reproductive rights, and digital empowerment for female parliamentarians. The MoU, he noted, builds on these achievements by formalizing a framework for future collaboration, including leadership development, civic education, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding, with concrete plans such as the establishment of a Youth Academy, the celebration of International Youth Day, and the creation of a Regional Youth Caucus within SADC-PF.
The Regional Coordinator also acknowledged the pivotal role of SADC-PF’s Secretary General, Her Excellency Boemo Sekgoma, SAYoF’s Patron, in mentoring youth leaders and creating platforms for meaningful engagement. The timing of the MoU, he argued, is a decisive response to the urgent need for cohesive action, resource-sharing, and innovative solutions to youth challenges. With the 7th Southern Africa Youth Forum scheduled for Eswatini in July 2025 and ongoing joint workshops, the partnership is poised to deliver immediate and long-term impact. The ceremony was not just a signing but a bold declaration of intent, a commitment to fostering an inclusive, prosperous future where young people are not merely beneficiaries but architects of change.
