Executive Chairperson
Dr. Sunshine Minenhle Myende is an accomplished academic, public servant, and youth development
practitioner who was recently appointed to serve as the Chairperson of the National Youth
Development Agency (NYDA) in South Africa. With a distinguished background in criminology,
restorative justice, and public management, Dr. Myende brings a rare and critical blend of scholarly
insight and practical governance experience to the leadership of the Agency.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology and Forensic Studies from the University of Zululand,
where her research focused on applying restorative justice mechanisms to address school-based
violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Her doctoral and master’s research both centre youths as
primary agents in reshaping violent school environments, underscoring her lifelong commitment to
building safer, more just educational spaces. Her academic expertise extends to industrial psychology
and public management, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of the structural and
psychosocial issues affecting young people in South Africa.
Dr. Myende is currently pursuing another
Master’s degree in Public Policy at the University of the Witwatersrand, with a research focus on youth
development. This reflects her ongoing commitment to strengthening the capacity of the state to
respond effectively to the needs and aspirations of young people, particularly through transformative
and people-centred policy-making.
A dedicated activist grounded from her early days in student politics, Dr. Myende’s activism was
shaped during her formative years in student politics, where she took up the struggle for access, equity,
and transformation within institutions of higher learning. She has remained firmly embedded in
progressive youth and women’s structures, notably through her involvement in the ANC Women’s
League Young Women’s Desk, where she has played an active role in championing the development,
representation, and protection of young women.
Her work in this space has deepened her understanding of the structural and systemic challenges
that continue to face young women in post-apartheid South Africa—particularly those in rural areas
and historically marginalised communities. She brings this grounded, activist-informed perspective
into her leadership at the NYDA, where she is committed to ensuring that the Agency's programmes
and interventions align with the broader goals of national transformation, gender equality, and youth
empowerment. Her leadership is anchored in the principles of revolutionary discipline, organisational
consciousness, and a commitment to advancing the developmental state.
Dr. Myende is no stranger to the NYDA, having previously served as Special Programmes Specialist
and Administrator in the Office of the Executive Deputy Chairperson. In these positions, she played a
vital role in coordinating national programmes, fostering community partnerships, and advising on
youth policy matters. Her return to the Agency as Chairperson reflects her continued belief in the NYDA
as a transformative force for South Africa’s youth. Her time in these roles and subsequent
administrative positions within the Executive Deputy Chairperson’s Office at NYDA laid the foundation
for her nuanced understanding of the Agency’s mandate, operations, and the broader policy
environment.
Dr. Myende has held strategic roles in government, including Assistant Director in the KwaZulu-Natal
Department of Social Development and Deputy Director for Community Outreach at the Department
of Mineral Resources and Energy, where she led executive coordination, policy review, and public
engagement to improve access to services and strengthen government responsiveness.
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A passionate educator, Dr. Myende has tutored and mentored first-year students at both the
University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Zululand. Her work in academia included assisting
students with academic writing, research methodologies, and foundational criminology—empowering
them with the skills to succeed in higher education and beyond. This hands-on work aligns with her
vision of education as a powerful tool for social mobility and youth empowerment.
Dr. Myende’s commitment to research and public scholarship is evident in her published work, which
includes studies on school violence, intergenerational trauma, and the gendered impacts of the COVID
19 pandemic. She is a proud member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and has
represented South Africa in international academic forums.
As Chairperson of the NYDA, Dr. Myende brings visionary leadership grounded in evidence-based
policy, inclusive development, and a grassroots understanding of the structural challenges faced by
young people in both urban and rural contexts. Her mission is clear: to build a generation of
empowered, educated, and resilient youth who are equipped to lead and transform their
communities—and the nation.