Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme 2026

Finding a job, gaining practical experience or starting a business can be difficult for young people without access to the right skills, networks and opportunities. The Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme (IYEDP) was introduced by the City of Tshwane to create practical pathways for young people to participate in the economy.

The programme brings together several types of support, including work-readiness preparation, internships, skilled-trades training, entrepreneurship development, supplier development and support towards obtaining a driver’s licence.

The official Ithuba portal currently states that registration is for young people aged 18 to 35.

Rather than focusing on one route into employment, Ithuba provides different pathways depending on a young person’s goals, skills and circumstances.

What Is the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme?

The Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme is a City of Tshwane youth economic development initiative designed to help young people develop skills and improve their participation in the economy.

The programme’s official platform describes opportunities in five main areas:

• Work readiness and internships
• Skilled trades for artisans and technicians
• Business and entrepreneurship
• Supplier development
• Driver’s licence support

The programme is therefore broader than a conventional job-placement initiative. It combines career preparation, practical skills development, entrepreneurship and access to economic opportunities.

The City of Tshwane has also identified youth economic participation as part of its broader economic revitalisation priorities. Its 2026 budget documents state that R8 million was allocated to the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme, with nearly 3,000 young people registered at the time of the budget announcement.

Who Can Register for Ithuba?

The official Ithuba registration portal currently states that the programme is for youth aged 18–35 years.

However, being within the age range does not necessarily mean that every applicant will qualify for every opportunity.

Different opportunities may have their own requirements, selection processes, supporting documents or conditions. Applicants should therefore read the specific information attached to an opportunity before submitting an application.

This is particularly important for training programmes, internships, business support and opportunities that require particular qualifications or experience.

Opportunities Available Through Ithuba

1. Work Readiness and Internships

For young people who are looking for their first opportunity in the workplace, work-readiness support can be an important starting point.

The Ithuba programme includes CV writing, interview skills, internships and job placement.

A well-prepared CV can make it easier for an applicant to clearly communicate their education, skills, work experience, volunteer activities and other relevant experience.

Interview preparation is equally important. Young applicants who have limited formal work experience can still prepare by understanding the position they are applying for, researching the organisation and being ready to explain their strengths and career goals.

Internships can also provide an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience and understand what employers expect.

2. Skilled Trades for Artisans and Technicians

Not every career requires a university degree. Skilled trades can provide another route into the labour market and can also create opportunities for self-employment.

Ithuba identifies artisans and technicians as a specific area of support, with training intended to develop practical occupational skills.

The City of Tshwane has previously supported artisan development in fields such as electrical work, vehicle mechanics, welding, fitting and turning, boiler making and plumbing. These earlier programmes demonstrate the City’s wider investment in technical skills, although applicants should check the current Ithuba opportunity listing for the trades actually available in the current intake.

For anyone interested in a trade, it is important to understand the difference between simply attending training and obtaining recognised occupational competence or certification. The exact qualification or accreditation attached to an opportunity should always be confirmed from the official programme information.

3. Business and Entrepreneurship Support

Ithuba also provides a pathway for young people who want to start or develop a business.

The programme describes this area as business and entrepreneurship, with the aim of helping young people turn business ideas into viable enterprises.

Entrepreneurship support can be particularly useful for applicants who already have a business idea but need help understanding how to develop it.

Before applying for business support, entrepreneurs should consider basic questions such as:

• What problem does the business solve?
• Who are the customers?
• What products or services will be offered?
• How will the business generate revenue?
• What equipment or resources are required?
• Is the business already registered?
• What evidence exists that customers are interested?

A clear business idea does not guarantee financial support. Applicants should rely on the official opportunity requirements rather than assuming that registration automatically results in funding.

4. Supplier Development

Another distinctive part of Ithuba is supplier development.

The official programme says this support is intended to help young businesses become registered suppliers for the City.

For an entrepreneur, becoming capable of supplying larger organisations can be an important step in business development. However, supplier registration should not be confused with a guaranteed municipal contract.

The official Ithuba portal also provides a separate enterprise registration and pledge process that asks businesses to provide enterprise information, including whether the enterprise is registered.

Young entrepreneurs interested in this route should make sure that their business information is accurate and that they understand the difference between being registered as a supplier and actually winning procurement opportunities.

5. Driver’s Licence Support

A driver’s licence can be an important employment requirement in occupations involving transport, field work, logistics, sales and other mobile roles.

Ithuba lists driver’s licence funding and support as one of its programme areas.

Applicants interested in this opportunity should carefully check the current requirements and what type of support is provided. It is better to confirm the exact conditions through the official programme than to rely on social-media posts or unofficial advertisements.

How to Register for the Ithuba Programme

The official Ithuba portal provides an online registration facility.

Applicants can begin by creating an account and choosing their login credentials. The current registration page specifically indicates that registration is for people aged 18–35.

After creating an account, applicants should use the programme portal to review available opportunities and identify those that match their circumstances.

Important: Registering on the platform and applying for a particular opportunity are not necessarily the same thing. Always follow the instructions attached to the specific opportunity.

The official Ithuba website should be treated as the primary source for programme announcements and application information.

Documents and Information Applicants Should Prepare

Requirements can differ between opportunities, so applicants should follow the specific checklist provided for the opportunity they want.

As a general preparation step, applicants should keep commonly requested information available, such as:

• South African identity document or accepted identification
• Updated CV
• Contact details
• Proof of qualifications where applicable
• Relevant certificates
• Business registration information where applicable
• Details of business activities for entrepreneurs
• Any additional documents specifically requested in the opportunity advertisement

Applicants should never submit false information or altered documents. Information supplied during an application may be checked as part of the relevant selection or verification process.

How to Avoid Ithuba Application Scams

Government youth programmes can attract fraudulent advertisements, especially when scammers promise guaranteed jobs, funding or selection.

Applicants should be cautious if someone asks for money in exchange for securing a place in the programme, promises guaranteed employment, or requests sensitive information through an unofficial channel.

The safest approach is to verify information through the official Ithuba platform or the City of Tshwane.

The official programme lists the Economic Development and Spatial Planning contact details as 012 358 4352/4 and ithuba@tshwane.gov.za.

Do not assume that a WhatsApp message, Facebook post or forwarded application link is genuine simply because it uses the Ithuba name or City of Tshwane branding.

Why Ithuba Matters for Young People in Tshwane

Youth development is not only about finding a temporary job. Sustainable economic participation can also involve developing practical skills, gaining workplace experience, building a business, accessing markets and becoming part of supply chains.

That broader approach is reflected in the City’s description of Ithuba. The programme was launched with a focus on youth entrepreneurship, access to markets and supply chains, work opportunities and in-demand skills.

For applicants, the most useful approach is to identify the pathway that matches their current situation.

Someone who is unemployed and has little work experience may benefit from work-readiness opportunities. A person interested in a practical occupation may consider skilled trades. An aspiring entrepreneur may be better suited to business development or supplier-development support.

The Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme provides several routes for young people who want to improve their skills, gain experience, develop a business or participate more actively in the economy.

The most important step is to use the official programme information and check the requirements for each opportunity before applying.

Young people should also keep their CVs updated, organise their supporting documents, provide truthful information and avoid anyone asking for payment in exchange for guaranteed selection.

Because opportunities and closing dates can change, applicants should check the official Ithuba portal regularly rather than relying on an old social-media post or forwarded message.

For the latest registration and opportunity information, use the official Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme portal operated by the City of Tshwane.

Official contact: Economic Development and Spatial Planning, 6th Floor, Middestad Building, 252 Thabo Sehume Street, Pretoria Central, 0002. Telephone: 012 358 4352/4. Email: ithuba@tshwane.gov.za.

Information in this article reflects the official Ithuba and City of Tshwane information available in September 2026. Applicants should confirm current requirements, available opportunities and closing dates on the official portal before submitting an application.