AFSI Next Generation
Day Zero (Youth Pre-Conference)
The day before the Indaba opens, about 150 young people meet for the Pan-African Student Assembly, rapporteur briefings, the Youth Rapporteur election and the Future Skills Film screening.
- Who can apply
- Day Zero is not a separate call. It brings together the people selected for the youth programmes: Assembly members, Youth Rapporteurs, Youth Policy Prize winners, filmmakers, performers and facilitators.
- Places
- About 150 people.
- When and where
- Sunday 21 March 2027, 11:30 to 18:15, at one university venue, followed by the Official Day Zero Welcome Reception.
- What it produces
- Day Zero hands to Day One the Student Leadership Statement (read at the Opening Ceremony alongside the Learner Diagnosis Statement), the Youth Commitment Register and the Youth Rapporteur, who carries the youth thread across all three days.
What you do
The Student Assembly meets and adopts its statement, rapporteurs are briefed, the Assembly elects the Youth Rapporteur from the six rapporteurs, and the five films are screened with a Young Talent set and a Q&A with the filmmakers.
The day
Registration and arrival
Lunch
Pan-African Student Assembly opens, with online members joining by link; Youth Rapporteurs' briefing in the side room (to 14:30)
Assembly working groups; Young Talent rehearsal in the side room (to 16:00)
Rapporteurs join the Assembly to observe
Assembly commitments
Student Leadership Statement adopted; spokesperson elected
Youth Rapporteur elected from the six rapporteurs
Break; arriving Indaba delegates welcomed
Future Skills Film screening: a five-minute Young Talent set, the five films, then a ten-minute Q&A with the filmmakers (online for those outside Gauteng)
Close; transfer to the Official Day Zero Welcome Reception
How people are selected
Not applicable; participants come through the programmes. The Youth Council co-designs the next Day Zero with APEA.
Key dates
From the call to the Indaba and beyond.
Questions
Things people ask.
Can I attend Day Zero without being in a programme?
The film screening at 17:30 is open to arriving Indaba delegates. The rest of the day is for programme participants.
Can Assembly members join online?
Yes. The Assembly runs hybrid, with an online link.
Calls open 2 November 2026