On Monday 22 July 2024, the AMCOW Executive Secretary joined the opening session of the 2024 South Africa National Youth Indaba. At the Indaba, Dr Mbaziira delivered a message of support at the invitation of the government of the Republic of South Africa. While, challenging the youth to assume their role, the Executive Secretary stressed the importance of resourcing programmes that meaningfully engage youth in the water and sanitation sector. Themed “The role of the youth in the water sector in Actively embracing the socio-economic gains of our democracy” the 2024 Youth Indaba provided a platform to take stock of programmes targeted at youth, encourage engagements, knowledge sharing and active participation of the youth in Water and Sanitation Sector activities. 

The agenda included an item to formulate an implementation plan for the AMCOW Youth and Gender Inclusion (YoGI) Strategy 2023-2030. The Strategy promotes youth empowerment; gender equity; and social inclusion in efforts to sustainably manage water resources; and ensure equitable provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services in Africa. The YoGI Strategy is aimed at revitalising implementation of AMCOW policies for mainstreaming youth (2013) and gender (2011) in the water and sanitation sector in Africa. In his message, Dr Mbaziira also used the occasion to congratulate Ms Pemmy Castelina Pamela Majodina, on her well-deserved appointment as Minister for Water and Sanitation.  Dr Mbaziira recalled the significant and various roles that South Africa has played, which have helped influence the water as well as sanitation agenda on the continent and contributed to the growth of AMCOW.