Social entrepreneurship as an inclusive youth development strategy in South Africa

Throughout the world and particularly in Africa, youth represent a source of innovation and dynamism that is seldom acknowledged and much less nurtured. Innovative development practices which create synergies between the capitalist centered growth and the social development of many communities in Africa need to be developed.  Youth development discourse therefore should focus on creating platforms which capture the processes of youth engagement and inclusion at the same time constantly formulating and reformulating youth development approaches in an iterative search for best practice. This presentation will seek to answer one core question: How can social entrepreneurship reduce youth poverty in South Africa?  Utilizing a theoretical and literature analysis of the socio-political and economic landscape of South Africa and other transitioning economies, I intend to show how social entrepreneurship, as an alternative vehicle to facilitate positive youth development can tap into the social capacities of young people. In an increasingly interconnected world, a youth centered development agenda has the potential to enhance growth, reduce exclusion and increase the capacity of communities to solve social problems.  This paper will therefore present the concept of social entrepreneurship as a critical and necessary development opportunity for South Africa’s young people. I will highlight how social entrepreneurship is an important youth programming approach to enhance community resilience, reduce youth poverty and create an inclusive growth strategy.