This article explores challenges experienced by young people in their attempts to participate in development and governance at uPhongolo Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Youth participation is critical for human rights protection and society's expectations of young people in thriving for meaningful ways to contribute towards local economic development (LED). This article argues that youth participation at uPhongolo Local Municipality is more focused on political movement than it is on local development projects. Hence this study argues that youth participation should be broadened and be promoted by local officials and community leaders to enhance LED. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology and conveniently surveyed fifteen participants that included youth participants, municipal officials, and the members of the community in the Uphongolo municipal jurisdiction. Data was analysed using a thematic approach and c