NYDA Clarifies Scorpion Kings Partnership “A Platform for Youth Empowerment”
Evident Makatwane 
Image Credit: DJMaphorisa/Facebook
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has moved to clarify its partnership with award-winning music duo, Scorpion Kings, stressing that the collaboration was non-financial and focused on creating opportunities for young South Africans in the creative industry.
The announcement follows public concern over the agency’s role in the popular concert. In a statement released on Friday, the NYDA explained that the partnership was designed to give young people particularly participants in the National Youth Service (NYS) exposure and hands-on experience in the events and entertainment sector.
Skills Development Through Events
According to the agency, the initiative allowed youth to take part in key event functions such as ushering, stage support, and front-of-house operations. These practical roles aim to build transferable skills in areas such as event management, stage production, and hospitality.
“This partnership with Scorpion Kings is about positioning young people as active contributors in cultural spaces, not just spectators,” the NYDA said. “Through these experiences, participants gain the foundation needed to pursue careers in the arts, culture, and entertainment industries.”
Currently, more than 4 000 NYS participants are engaged in similar programmes across the country, using creative platforms to strengthen communities and promote social cohesion.
Broader Creative Economy Goals
The NYDA also highlighted that South Africa’s creative sector is among the fastest-growing contributors to the economy but remains underdeveloped in terms of accessible pathways for young people. Partnerships like this, it said, are part of a larger vision to address that gap.
Through initiatives such as the Young Creatives Programme (TYCP) and collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), over 330 young artists are already being supported to showcase their work while preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage.
“This partnership is more than a single concert,” the NYDA emphasised. “It represents a structured approach to youth empowerment equipping young people with skills, employability opportunities, and access to a sector with immense job-creation potential.”
The agency revealed plans to scale and replicate this model nationwide, ensuring young people from both rural and urban communities can benefit equally from opportunities in the creative economy.
By embedding youth development within South Africa’s arts and culture spaces, the NYDA says it aims to drive inclusive growth, professionalise the creative industry, and nurture the next generation of cultural leaders.
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