NYDA
NYDA Clarifies Non-Financial Partnership with Scorpion Kings for Youth Development. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has sought to clarify that its partnership with music duo Scorpion Kings for a concert was a non-financial collaboration aimed at creating opportunities for young people in the creative sector.
Public Concerns Prompt NYDA’s Detailed Response
This comes after the agency noted concerns raised by the public regarding its involvement in the event. “The NYDA has entered a partnership with Scorpion Kings to expand opportunities for young people. The NYDA did not pay or provide financial support for the Scorpion Kings event,” NYDA said in a statement on Friday.
The partnership provides the National Youth Service (NYS) participants with exposure and practical experience in event management and related functions, while supporting the broader growth of South Africa’s arts and culture industry. “By engaging young people in event functions such as ushering, stage support, and front-of house operations, the NYS is helping to build technical and professional skills that extend across the arts, culture, and entertainment industries.
“This positions the NYS as a key enabler of entry-level opportunities, giving participants the foundation to pursue careers in events, stage management, production, hospitality, and beyond. The Scorpion Kings concert partnership illustrates how public-private collaboration can create spaces for youth to be active participants in major cultural events, not just as audiences but as contributors,” the agency said.
The clarification follows backlash on social media and in public discussions, where some questioned why the NYDA was associating with established artists like DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, who are not youths themselves. Critics argued it seemed like indirect funding for a commercial event, potentially diverting resources from direct youth initiatives. However, the NYDA emphasised the focus on skills transfer, noting that partnering with high-profile acts draws more young participants and provides real-world exposure.
Event Details and Youth Involvement
The partnership centred on the Scorpion Kings Live concert held at Malamulele Stadium in Limpopo on 30 August 2025. This sold-out event featured the Amapiano duo performing alongside other artists, drawing thousands of fans. As part of the collaboration, around 150 young creatives from the NYS programme gained hands-on roles, including ushering, stage setup, and front-of-house duties. This hands-on involvement allowed them to learn from industry pros, building resumes in a competitive field.
Currently, more than 4 000 NYS participants are applying their craft to uplift communities, whether through local performances or cultural initiatives that foster social cohesion. Additionally, through the Young Creatives Programme (TYCP) and the partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), over 330 young artists are supported to grow their talents while preserving and promoting South Africa’s cultural heritage.
According to the NYDA, the creative arts and entertainment sector is one of the fastest-growing contributors to South Africa’s economy, however, it remains underdeveloped in terms of accessible pathways for youth. “The NYS is working to bridge this gap. This partnership is more than a single event. It represents a broader vision of youth empowerment, using the service as a platform for skills development, employability, and sector transformation.
“By integrating youth into the creative industries, the NYS contributes to diversification, professionalisation, and unlocking the sector’s potential for job creation. Equally, it positions the NYS as a structured, scalable model for industries seeking to nurture and grow young talent, as well as advancing inclusive economic growth,” NYDA said.
The agency said it plans to scale and replicate this model to impact youth across both rural areas and their urban counterparts, ensuring equitable access to opportunities within the creative economy nationwide. Similar initiatives have been rolled out in the past, such as partnerships with other music events where youth handle logistics, gaining certificates that boost employability.
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