Youth Workers' Role as Contributors to Social Cohesion and Nation Building

In South Africa, the youth played a crucial role in the liberation of the country from the shackles of apartheid. However, in the new democratic South Africa, their voices have become mute as they battle countless challenges including poverty, unemployment crime, unwanted pregnancies, alcohol and drug abuse as well as limited access to education due to lack of funding and skills. These debilitating challenges have created disjointed, voiceless youth with little impact in nation building and the development of their communities. This paper therefore identifies interventions that can be used to mobilise young people to participate in issues affecting them and their communities so as to build a better South Africa. In the paper, Freire's theory on youth development were used to illuminate the issues under study. Content analysis was used to analyse the collected data so as to align the recommended interventions with national policy documents. The paper promotes the concept of "Ubuntu" and "servantship" meaning the youth must contribute their talents and skills in service of all for a better future. In the paper, it is recommended that the youth should participate fully in the formulation and implementation of programmes that are meant for the youth in South Africa.