In this episode of The Mobilize Podcast, we sit down with Moeketsi Koahela, Co-Chair of Y20 South Africa, to unpack the role of youth activism in shaping global policy through the G20 and Y20 platforms.

Moeketsi offers a breakdown of what the G20 is, how the Y20 functions as its official youth engagement group, and why these international spaces matter for young people across the world, especially in the Global South. From climate change and inclusive economic growth to AI, governance and multilateralism, we explore how young leaders are influencing the future. The conversation is both practical and reflective, offering insight into how young people can organise, mobilise and collaborate to drive change, while also interrogating the challenges of youth policy processes, power, and accountability.

Guest: Moeketsi Koahela: Co-Chair of Y20 South Africa, Education and Training Officer at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Chairperson of the National Youth Coalition, and researcher on gender, masculinity, and local governance.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the Y20 is and how it fits into the G20
• How young people are shaping climate, economic and social agendas globally
• Why youth engagement must go beyond tokenism
• Challenges in youth programming and corruption
• The importance of intergenerational collaboration
• How to get involved in the Y20 process
• What meaningful youth leadership looks like

📚 Want to learn more?

• Y20 South Africa 2023: y20southafrica.org
• Ahmed Kathrada Foundation: www.kathradafoundation.org
• More about the Kenyan Protest: https://thenonviolenceproject.wisc.edu/2025/04/29/kenya-finance-bill-protests/ and https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/opinion/2024/2024-06/kenya-protests-gen-z-shows-the-power-of-digital-activism.html

Key points:

00:50 Understanding the G20 and Y20

03:28 The Role and Structure of Y20

15:37 Challenges and Corruption in Youth Programs

19:11 Youth Engagement and Policy Recommendations

28:47 Global Youth Involvement in Policy

29:31 South African Y20 Working Groups

31:16 G20 Y20 Roadshows and Outreach

33:12 Youth Contributions to G20

38:10 Future of Youth Activism

38:54 Organising and Mobilising Youth

43:44 Intergenerational Collaboration

53:08 Hope for Youth Activism