[Johannesburg, April 10, 2026] – The ‘Youth Dialogue,’ hosted by the International Youth Peace Group (IPYG), was held on April 10 at the Wole Soyinka Auditorium, Auckland Park (APB Campus), University of Johannesburg. The International Youth Peace Group (IPYG), an affiliated youth organization of HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), is an international NGO that promotes peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiatives led by youth worldwide.
The event was organized in collaboration with Gun Free SA (GFSA), the South African Youth Council (SAYC), and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, and was attended by approximately 150 young people. It aimed to provide a platform for youth to recognize the violence they face and take the lead in developing practical solutions for peacebuilding.
The event was held against the backdrop of severe levels of violence in South Africa and the growing need to highlight the role of youth in addressing these challenges. In particular, gender-based violence (GBV) has reached a national crisis level, and 56% of those accused of firearm-related murder are youth between the ages of 12 and 24.
During the dialogue, Dr Sunshine Myende, Chairperson of the Board (National Youth Development Agency – NYDA) mentioned in her speech, “In many of our communities, violence does not begin with an incident, it begins with conditions. It begins with environments where inequality is deeply entrenched and opportunities are limited.”
Chairperson Honourable Bandile Masuku (Gauteng Provincial Legislature) explained, “One of the issues that needs to be addressed is how we can participate in policy formulation and develop intervention methods or programmes to deal with youth violence.” Furthermore, Constable Audrey Buthelezi (South African Police Service – SAPS) stated, “I’m pleading with you to take what that has been shared today and implement it in your communities. Don’t be afraid. You are the future; you are the present. Stand up! We will stand up and rally behind you.”
Dr Stanley Maphosa, Executive Director of Gun Free SA (GFSA), who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IPYG on the day, stated, “Young people are the majority in the country, and their voices are very critical. In spaces like this, such as youth dialogues, youth parliaments, and universities, IPYG is able to mobilise young people within peace discussions and encourage them to say, ‘Let us, as young people, say no to violence,’ and adopt strategies to keep our communities safe.”
Mr Mosuli Cwele, General Secretary of the South African Youth Council (SAYC), who signed an affiliation with IPYG, stated in the closing address, “We are quite happy that young people have participated in this event. Our goal is to see young people involved. In everything that we say and do, we want young people to be at the forefront as a nation. Your (the youth) involvement, to us (SAYC), speaks volumes.” Furthermore, he added, “The SAYC and all partners involved will ensure that the discussions held here translate into practical solutions.”
Participants focused on identifying the root causes of violence, including unemployment, poverty, and lack of access to education, while developing practical prevention strategies applicable to their communities. In particular, many youth committed to participating in the Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) and continuing their engagement through the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) to translate dialogue into tangible action.
A youth participant shared, “Through this ‘Youth Dialogue, I came to realize that youth are key actors in preventing violence, and it was meaningful to build social solidarity and empathy by sharing our experiences. I hope to continue contributing to real change within my community.” An IPYG official also stated, “We plan to implement follow-up programs to ensure that the outcomes of this dialogue, driven by the active participation and collaboration of youth, lead to meaningful action within local communities.”