Authored by: Captain SA | SA Rainbow News | 18th May 2026

PHUTHADITJHABA, FREE STATE — Youth activist Lekgutsa Mbele represented the Creative, Cultural and Tourism Sector at the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality Youth Summit held at the Old Parliament Building in Phuthaditjhaba, QwaQwa, on 13 May 2026. The summit brought together young people, community leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to address challenges affecting youth across the district while developing practical and inclusive solutions for the future.

#FreeState #YouthSummit #YouthDevelopment

The gathering focused on advancing youth leadership, economic participation, skills development, and empowerment throughout the district. Mbele played a significant role in ensuring that the voices of young creatives, cultural practitioners, and creative enterprises remained part of the broader development discussions.

#CreativeEconomy #ArtsAndCulture #TourismDevelopment

One of the key concerns raised during the summit was the continued under-recognition of the creative sector as a legitimate contributor to economic growth. Mbele highlighted that arts and culture are often treated as informal or extracurricular activities despite their powerful role in job creation, revenue generation, and strengthening community identity.

“Young creatives continue to struggle with limited access to funding, mentorship, infrastructure, and market opportunities. Without proper support systems, talent remains untapped and opportunities are lost,” he stated.

#EconomicGrowth #CreativeSector #YouthEmpowerment

Mbele further called for deliberate investment and integration of the sector into mainstream development strategies. He emphasized the need for structured support systems that equip young creatives with business management skills, digital knowledge, transparent funding pathways, and access to broader markets beyond their local communities.

He added that government, private sector institutions, and civil society organizations must begin treating the creative sector as a serious development partner rather than an afterthought.

#Leadership #SkillsDevelopment #FutureOpportunities

According to Mbele, Arts and Culture cannot be separated from Tourism because the sectors are deeply connected and mutually beneficial. He explained that tourists are not only attracted by landscapes and destinations, but also by stories, music, local cuisine, crafts, heritage, and cultural experiences that define communities.

“A thriving creative sector gives a district its identity and makes it memorable. In return, tourism creates audiences, income, visibility, and opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners,” he said.

#Tourism #CulturalHeritage #CommunityDevelopment

For the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, known for its rich heritage and natural beauty, Mbele believes this relationship presents significant economic opportunities for young people. He highlighted that festivals, cultural tours, storytelling initiatives, and craft markets can create sustainable employment while preserving and celebrating local identity.

However, he stressed that this will require intentional planning, protection of intellectual property, and systems that ensure economic benefits return to the communities producing the cultural work.

#LocalEconomy #YouthInBusiness #CreativeLeadership

“Young creatives are not on the sidelines of development. They are building businesses, creating employment, and preserving heritage every day,” Mbele said. “This summit created an opportunity to align the Creative and Cultural Sector with the district’s youth agenda while securing commitments around funding access, market opportunities, and skills support.”

During the summit, he also presented the sector’s priorities and proposed practical partnerships between government and stakeholders aimed at expanding opportunities within the creative economy.

#Partnerships #Innovation #CreativeIndustry

The summit concluded with a strong message that young people are ready to lead and actively contribute towards economic and social development. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of matching youth readiness with meaningful policy implementation, funding support, and sustainable partnerships that recognize the Creative, Cultural, and Tourism sectors as key pillars of the district’s economy.

When these sectors are properly supported alongside entrepreneurship and enterprise development, communities are empowered to build a province that proudly embraces its identity while confidently shaping its future.

#FreeStateYouth #YouthLeadership #ArtsCultureTourism #SARainbowNews