As Youth Month wraps up, it’s a good time to reflect on how we’re preparing young people to take part meaningfully in a world that’s constantly evolving. This year’s theme, Skills for the changing world: empowering youth for meaningful economic participation, puts a spotlight on an important issue. But it also brings up a key question, “when should that preparation actually begin?”
If we’re only beginning in adolescence, we’ve already missed too much. The journey towards meaningful economic participation starts long before a child enters a classroom. It begins in early childhood, where confidence, creativity, and capability either take root or develop unevenly. Nurturing that foundation from the start is exactly what drives the work we do at Innovation Edge.
And for entrepreneurs, social innovators and other problem-solvers, it’s a reminder that shaping the future starts far earlier than we often think.
Why Early Childhood Holds the Key to Economic Participation
Connecting the early years of childhood (from conception to age six) to future boardrooms and business plans might seem like a stretch, but it’s not. The science clearly tells us that the early years, especially the first five, are when the brain develops more rapidly than at any other stage of life. By age five, a child’s brain is already 90% developed.
It’s during these early years that the building blocks for learning, relationships, and problem-solving are laid. We’re talking about essential life skills like emotional intelligence, social awareness, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges.
But when these early years are marked by neglect, hunger, chronic stress, or limited access to quality learning experiences, those foundations take a knock. And while catching up later is possible, it’s often harder, more expensive, and too often, too late.
Young Nation, Powerful Potential, Grounded in Early Childhood
South Africa is home to one of the youngest populations in the world, with close to 60% of our people under the age of 35. With so many young people, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to start laying the groundwork for their future now, not later.
Youth development rightly sits high on the national agenda. But if we really want to unlock the full potential of the next generation, we need to begin where it all truly starts, which is in early childhood. Preparing young people for the jobs of tomorrow means giving every child a strong foundation well before they reach Grade R. And if we say we value critical thinking, we have to recognise that it’s nurtured through curiosity, creativity, and play in those early years.
Furthermore, we invest in entrepreneurship and innovation, but confidence and problem-solving actually start to grow long before a young person walks into a classroom, an internship, or a boardroom. That’s why anyone working to build a better South Africa, whether through business, social innovation, or community action, can’t afford to overlook those crucial early years.
Early Investment, Long-term Impact
When we invest in early childhood development, we’re doing far more than getting children ready for Grade 1. We’re laying the foundation for everything that comes after.
In the right environment, young children begin to develop stronger thinking and language skills. Supportive caregivers help them build emotional resilience, the kind that protects mental well-being later in life. Through simple interactions like play, conversation, encouragement, children learn how to collaborate, resolve conflict, and express themselves. Yes, these are childhood milestones, but they’re also the building blocks of leadership, innovation, and meaningful participation in society.
Children who attend quality early learning programmes are also more likely to finish school and take up further learning or work opportunities. And we know that the benefits go well beyond the classroom. Even President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his speech during the ECD Summit in March this year, reminded us of the value of investing early. He referenced research showing that every rand spent on early childhood development can save up to R7 in future costs related to remedial education, social services and the criminal justice system.
So, when we talk about unlocking potential, this is where it begins.
It’s a strong case for policy-makers and funders, and for anyone working on solutions that aim to create lasting social and economic impact.
Early Investment is a Youth Development Strategy
If we want to see a generation of economically empowered youth, we have to start by supporting the people who shape a child’s earliest experiences. That includes healthcare workers who walk alongside parents and caregivers from pregnancy, offering care, guidance and connection during some of the most important months of a child’s development. It also means equipping parents and caregivers with the tools, knowledge and support they need throughout the early years.
We also need to train and value early learning practitioners, who become trusted mentors and guides as children grow. And we must challenge harmful gender norms, so fathers and other male caregivers feel supported and encouraged to take active, nurturing roles in their children’s lives.
And just as importantly, we need to find ways to protect young children from the daily stress and instability that often come with growing up in poverty. When children feel safe, supported and cared for early on, they’re better able to adapt to challenges, thrive in different environments, and grow into adults who can confidently contribute to the world around them.
It’s a Wrap…
As we wrap up Youth Month, it’s a good moment to carry forward a renewed sense of purpose. That means starting early, supporting caregivers, early learning practitioners, and healthcare workers, and recognising that the journey to economic freedom begins well before a child enters a classroom. It begins in those everyday moments of care, play, and connection in the earliest years of life.
For social innovators and entrepreneurs, the early years hold incredible potential for meaningful and lasting impact.
Focusing on this stage helps build a generation that is confident, capable, and connected. It’s one of the most powerful ways to shape futures, unlock potential, and ensure every child has the chance to thrive from the very beginning.
Learn more about our work.
Author: Dimpho Lephaila – Communications Associate at Innovation Edge