WYDE Civic Engagement

Network of Young Decision-makers

Part of Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative

Asanda Luwaca

Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

Active Network Member

From: South Africa

Active since: 2023

Asanda Luwaca began her activism whilst pursuing her qualification, wherein she participated in the life of Youth Organisations. She later continued with her activism in the political space, where she served across various leadership structures.

She completed her BA in Politics qualification in 2012 and later pursued her Honours qualification in Politics. Over the years, she has obtained additional qualifications in the following areas: Evidence-Based Policy Making and Implementation at the Nelson School of Government at the University of Cape Town; Policy Research Training at the University of Stellenbosch; and Academic Writing Skills at the University of Stellenbosch.

Her activism in politics saw her participating in the 2015 #FeesMustFall movement, where she later contributed a chapter in a published book titled ‘We Are No Longer At Ease: The Struggle for #FeesMustFall’. She later relocated to Cape Town to join the ANC Parliamentary Caucus, where she worked as a Researcher.

Some of her achievements include her being one of the winners of the International Organisation for Migration Competition, where she, alongside progressive youth in South Africa, was awarded an all-expenses Educational Trip to the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa in, Ethiopia. She was also a Finalist for the Moremi Initiative Women’s Leadership in Africa (MILEAD) 2015 Fellows Programme.

She was appointed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, where she currently serves as a Council Member at the Ingwe TVET College as Chairperson of the Donor Funding and Stakeholder Relations Committee. In 2021, she was appointed by HE President Cyril Matamela Ramaposa to serve as the Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the NYDA, where she is currently serving.

Asanda Luwaca Related Activities

From 11/12/2023 to 11/14/2023

Policy Lab Network of Young Decision-Makers 2023- 12 November | “Youth Rethinking Social Development for People and Planet”

The Network of Young Decision-Makers will contribute to the discussions of Club de Madrid’s Annual Policy Dialogue 2023

Date: 06/15/2023

First meeting of the Network of Young Decision-makers

WYDE Civic Engagement Network of Young Decision-Makers brings together a group of exceptional young leaders under 36 years old who are active in politics and in decision-making bodies and who have already reached positions of influence from which they can advocate for greater youth political participation.