South Africa marks Youth Day on 16 June, a public holiday commemorating young people and their role in the country’s future. In commentary released for the occasion, youth advocate Nkosinathi Moshoana focuses on the challenges faced by young South Africans in accessing meaningful economic opportunities. The discussion centres on the difficulties the youth encounter as they try to translate education and aspirations into employment and stable livelihoods. Moshoana’s remarks frame Youth Day as a moment to reflect on the barriers confronting future leaders, including conditions that limit entry into the labour market and reduce prospects for economic participation. The piece does not present specific policy proposals or statistics, but it emphasizes the need to address youth-related economic challenges in order to support emerging leaders. The focus remains on how these issues affect young people’s ability to build their futures as the country continues to navigate broader social and economic pressures.