14 nations 1 generation

Southern Africa Young Parliamentarians Network

The region's youngest elected legislators, from the Cape to the Comoros, working across borders on the questions that will define the next forty years.

Join the network Meet the fourteen

The fourteen

Eleven on the mainland. Three at sea. One network.

Member nations Indian Ocean members Tropic of Capricorn

Who sits in parliament

Share of MPs aged 40 or under, by country

Lower or single chamber. Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parline, figures taken at the start of each legislature (2021 to 2025) and counting only members whose age is known. No figure is published for Comoros.

About the network

A region this young should see itself in its parliaments.

Southern Africa is one of the youngest regions on earth, yet the people who write its laws are, on average, a generation older than the people who live under them. SAYPN connects the legislators who are closing that gap.

We are a non-partisan network of members of parliament, senators and local councillors aged 35 and under across fourteen nations of the mainland and the Indian Ocean. Members share model legislation, compare notes in confidence, and speak with a regional voice when it matters.

Rise together

No young legislator should have to learn the job alone. Peers across the region pass on what works, from the first maiden speech to the first committee chair.

Build across borders

The Zambezi, the rail corridors and the markets do not stop at a customs post. Neither should the conversation between the people who legislate for them.

Hold the line

Credible institutions outlast any one term. Members stand for open, accountable parliaments and for the democratic space young people need to take part.

Chairwoman of the network

Hon. Inna Hengari MP

Member of the National Assembly of Namibia · Popular Democratic Movement

Inna Hengari entered Namibia's National Assembly in March 2020 at 24, the youngest member sworn in since 2004. She came to Parliament from the student movement and now chairs a network built for legislators who, like her, arrived early and intend to stay useful.

2020Sworn in to the National Assembly, Windhoek
SRCFormer Vice President, UNAM Students' Representative Council and the Students Union of Namibia
2026 to 2028Represents Eastern and Southern Africa on the World Bank's steering committee of young parliamentarians, the first Namibian to do so

Our work

Four currents run through every parliament in the region.

Work, skills and the youth dividend

Turning a young population into a working one: apprenticeships, digital skills, start-up law and the public budgets that back them.

Water, land and a changing climate

Shared rivers, drought and cyclone recovery, and a just energy transition that keeps the lights on and the jobs at home.

Trade, movement and the blue economy

Regional integration that people can feel, from easier border crossings to fair fisheries and ports across the Indian Ocean states.

Democratic integrity

Peaceful elections, independent oversight, and protection for young candidates and legislators from harassment on and offline.

What members receive

Winning the seat is the start. We help with the rest.

Practical support for young legislators who have already won office and now need the tools to govern, communicate and stay effective. Delivered in phases by the network's secretariat.

01
Immediate value
A digital constituency office: a professional member website, verified profile, communications templates, contact forms, and newsletter and broadcast tools.
02
Governance capacity
A research support desk, a speech and question bank, monthly policy briefings, and model motions and committee questions.
03
Constituency service
A casework and issue tracker, constituency surveys, town-hall templates and annual report templates.
04
Political sustainability
A re-election and career toolkit, peer advisory circles, and staff, intern and fellow matching for small offices.
05
Visibility and credibility
Member profiles, op-eds and podcast slots, regional spotlights, and a formal membership certificate and digital badge.
06
Protection and resilience
Digital security audits, misinformation response, crisis communications support and online-harassment guidance.
07
Regional and global access
Expert office hours, fellowship and opportunity alerts, and access to African Union, SADC, Commonwealth, UN and other international forums.
Most services roll out through 2027 and are available to all active members.
Become a member

Make your member card

Light up your feed.

Young legislators: make the official SAYPN card in your country's colours and share it. Your photo stays on your device. Nothing is uploaded.

Southern Africa
Young Parliamentarians
Network

02 Oct Annual
SAYPN
Conference Lesotho

Save the date

Annual SAYPN Conference

000days

00hours

00minutes

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When2 October 2027
WhereLesotho
WhoMembers and invited young leaders from all fourteen nations

The network's annual gathering. Young legislators from across the mainland and the Indian Ocean set a shared agenda, compare notes off the record and welcome the next intake of members.

Request an invitation

Get involved

Are you a young legislator in Southern Africa?

If you serve as an elected representative aged 35 or under in any of the fourteen member nations, national or local, register your interest and we will be in touch as the network grows.