In his February 2024 State of the Nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa painted a picture in which the country’s youth – “democracy’s children” – had enormous opportunities for advancement. Research tracing 30 years of youth marginalisation has found that youth in South Africa, who make up 34.3% of the population, have not fared well under democracy. They are the hardest hit by unemployment and the lack of opportunities and show high alienation. In this week's view of the nation, Lerato Mbele speaks to Kristal Duncan-Williams, a Project Lead at Youth Capital, Zama Khanyase, National Spokesperson of the ANC Youth League and Moeketsi Koahela, Chairperson of the National Youth Coalition.