Archived Speeches

Address by Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agecy (NYDA), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni during the 40th Commeration of the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Gala Dinner, Freedom Park, Pretoria, Wednesday, 05 April 2019

ADDRESS BY EXECUTIVE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NYDA), MR SIFISO MTSWENI DURING THE ON 40th COMMEMORATION OF SOLOMON KALUSHI MAHLANGU GALA DINNER, FREEDOM PARK, PRETORIA, WEDNESDAY, 05 APRIL 2019

Programme Director, Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Thabang Makwetla,
Executive Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA, MS Bavelile Hlongwa
Members of the board of the National Youth Development Agency,
Chairperson of the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Foundation, Mr Gideon Mahlangu,
Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Council (NHC), Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa,
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mr Waseem Carrim,
African National Congress Youth League National Executive Committee led by the Secretary-General, Comrade Njabulo Nzuza,
ANCYL Provincial leadership, present here today,
Family members of the Mahlangu Family,
The Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Fund Students and Graduates,
Members of the Media,
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu

I wish to address you through the National Youth Development Agency, a government agency tasked with spearheading the development of the youth of this country you dearly sacrificed for with your blood. The Agency under the auspices of the current government which took over after you fought until the last drop of your blood, established an arm which focuses on young people. Since its inception in 2009, the Agency has assisted mant y young people through it’s products and services.

It was under the same Agency that we sought to established your Scholarship Fund named after you, Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Fund (SKMSF). The SKMSF emerged out of the idea of embracing Kalushi, as a symbol of bravery, martyrdom, and source of inspiration to reaping the fruits of Freedom by working towards a better future for youth.

Knowing that you had a desire to become a teacher, the preserving of your legacy through the provision of free education to students from poor and working-class background became prudent. We wish to report to you, that the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has successfully run this programme for the past 5 years. We are today gathered here in celebration of the success of your scholarship fund and we are further showcasing some of the most outstanding and high-performance beneficiaries.

Since your scholarship was established, it has benefitted students across various fields of study including law, commerce, engineering, agriculture, information technology, natural sciences, etc. The SKMSF has identified the key field of studies that contribute much in the economic development of the country which will afford youth economic opportunities. We further confirm tonight that the SKMSF has educated over five hundred (500) youth across the country, studying in various public universities and universities of technologies.

It is also important to mention that establishment of SKMSF by NYDA is part of executing its constitutional obligation which, amongst is to provide education opportunities for the youth from the rural areas of academic excellence who are unable to afford to further their studies at a tertiary level. The main beneficiaries are youth from rural and under-developed areas, including townships.

Kalushi, we wish to report to you that our generation heeded your call to continue to fight as your rightfully said so. We fought many battles – others successfully and we lost on others – but we continue to wedge the fight. As young people, we are proud to carry your legacy forward. We effortlessly fought for the fee-free quality public higher education. Our current government has rolled out its first phase of free education benefiting household earning below R350 000 per annum.

We further commit through the Agency of young that in the next five years, your scholarship fund will be make the following amendments:

- NYDA will continue to support students on the programme as the new policy applied to first-year students.

- New applicants would be in the sectors of post-graduate studies given a low number of youth black postgraduates students and the need to create more research.

- New applications would also be in the sector of creative arts given the importance of this sector in the National Development Plan and its lack of coverage with the free education policy.

- Applicants would also be considered for artisan training not otherwise covered by higher education.

We continue to affirm your call that ‘your blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom’, the struggle is far from over. Young people of this country have successfully fought for the scrapping of experience for entry-level jobs in public service. This resounding victory further confirms that we have continued to fight as you said.

Kalushi, on Wednesday we gathered at your family home to make pronouncements on various undertaking taken by different government departments and agencies in celebrating your immense contribution to the struggle against apartheid. Among those that we are publicly announced on the day, is the grading of your family home to heritage site by South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA). This decision has brought jubilation and renewed hope for young people, came at the right as the country has entered into a New Dawn under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kalushi, your blood has indeed given birth to many Solomons. Your scholarship fund continues to marvel the country with the caliber of young people it produces. All these wonderful graduates it has produced, are ready to exercise their rights to vote in the next general elections after the National Youth Service embarked on the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Voter Registration and Education Campaign (VREC) Programme in the last leg of registration in January.

Together with NYDA and IEC, the NYS set a target of one million eligible young voters across all high schools, universities and TVET colleges. Under the rejuvenated spirit of Thuma Mina, we ensured that a lot of young people go out in their numbers to register to vote in the upcoming national general elections, on 8 May 2019. We must also encourage all young to come out in numbers and exercise their right to vote.

We did so in clear demonstration that we are the custodian of the freedom you and other revolutionary fighters brought for us. As an esteemed member of the Order of Mendi for Bravery, you will remain alive in our minds and hearts. In the words of the later former President of the African National Congress (ANC), Oliver Tambo where he immortalised you during his speech in Asia and he said:

“..In his brief but full life Solomon Mahlangu towered like a colossus, unbroken and unbreakable, over the fascist lair. He, on whom our people have bestowed accolades worthy of the hero-combatant that he is, has been hanged in Pretoria like a common murderer. Alone the hangmen buried Solomon, bound by a forbidding oath that his grave shall remain forever a secret, because, in his death the spirit of Solomon Mahlangu towers still like a colossus, unbroken and unbreakable, over the fascist lair”

Your death, Kalushi, was indeed not in vain. We will continue to fight for the full liberation of young people to emulate your brevity and selfless leadership. To the graduates and students under the auspices of the SKMSF, shape your personal development to be exactly what Kalushi had in mind, history will not absolve you.

I thank you.

Executive Chairperson Sifiso Mtsweni: Briefing on 40th Commemoration of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu

Executive Chairperson Sifiso Mtsweni: Briefing on 40th Commemoration of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu


3 Apr 2019

Statement by Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni during the media briefing with the Department of Arts and Culture and National Heritage Council (NHC) on 40th Commemoration of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu

Honourable Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa,
Executive Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA, MS Bavelile Hlongwa
Chairperson of the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Foundation, Mr Gideon Mahlangu,
Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Council (NHC), Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa,
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mr Waseem Carrim,
Members of the Media,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

The history of South Africa’s freedom and democracy tells a story of a committed youth in the fight against apartheid. Many young people played a significant yet prominent role in the realisation of a free, non-sexist non-racial, democratic and prosperous country.

The 16th of June 1976, being the hallmark and synthesis of the youth revolt in the country, young people were already at the centre of fighting for freedom much earlier before the eventful day.

We gather a few days before the world remembers Solomon Mahlangu, affectionately known as Kalushi.

A fearless revolutionary who met his death under the brutal apartheid regime. Unlike the many mortals, Kalushi had zero fear for his execution by hanging such that he uttered the infamous words to his Mother, late Mama Esther Mahlangu at the gallows and said:

“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight”

The month of April is a painful reminder of the loss of Mother of the Nation, Mama Winfred Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela. Explained by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa during the occasion of her official funeral that “In death, she has demonstrated that our political party and racial lines and the numerous disputes we may have are eclipsed by our shared desire to follow her lead in building a just, equitable and caring society”.

It is Mama’s teachings that we as the youth, must emulate in our daily lives. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) says no to xenophic attacks, because Mama Mandela believed that “South Africans should know their history and where they come from, by knowing that they will be aware that they are Africans first and they should treat their fellow African as brother and sisters well”.

Honourable Minister, as South Africa marks 25 years since of freedom, it has been our preoccupation as the NYDA to place at the centre of youth development a deliberate preservation of our history and appreciation of the role played by youth during the struggle for democracy and freedom.

Cognisant to this fact, in 2014 the NYDA established the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Fund (SKMSF). The SKMSF emerged out of the idea of embracing Kalushi, as a symbol of bravery, martyrdom and source of inspiration to reaping the fruits of Freedom by working towards a better future for youth.

Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu had a desire to become a teacher. Thus, preserving his legacy through provision of free education to students from poor and working-class background became prudent. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has successfully run this programme for the past 5 years. We will on Friday celebrate the success of this scholarship fund through a gala dinner and showcase some of the most outstanding and high-performance beneficiaries.

Since its establishment, the scholarship has benefitted students across various fields of study including law, commerce, engineering, agriculture, information technology, natural sciences, etc.

The SKMSF has identified key field of studies that contribute much in the economic development of the country which will afford youth economic opportunities. Since the establishment, the SKMSF has educated over five hundred (500) youth across the country, studying in various public universities and universities of technologies.

It also important to mention that establishment of SKMSF by NYDA is part of executing its constitutional obligation which, amongst is to provide education opportunities for the youth from the rural areas of academic excellence who are unable to afford to further their studies at a tertiary level. The main beneficiaries are youth from rural and under-developed areas, including townships.

In line with the announcement by government to provide fee-free quality public higher education to be implemented in phased approach for household of incomes below R 350 000, the NYDA has during the 5 years of the scholarship made the following amendments:

NYDA will continue to support students on the programme as the new policy applied to first year students.

New applicants would be in the sectors of post-graduate studies given low number of youth black postgraduates students and the need to create more research.

New applications would also be in the sector of creative arts given the importance of this sector in the National Development Plan and its lack of coverage with the free education policy.

Applicants would also be considered for artisan training not otherwise covered by higher education.

Members of the media, we are also happy to announce that through our partnership with the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), 180 000 have manage to apply for NSFAS at our offices across the country. A partnership that aimed at increasing access to funding for youth to benefit from free education.

Programme Director, the combination of the SKMSF and the initiative of the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) to preserve the memories of the liberation struggle as part of the country’s heritage makes the 40th commemoration of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu a significant gesture to honour the sacrifices of young people through celebrating the legacy of Kalushi.

The NYDA declared the year 2019 to be the Year of the Youth, spearheading to its logical conclusion the battle for the scrapping of experience as an entry requirement to all government and private sector entry level vacancies.

A victory for all young people as declared by government that as of 01st April 2019 experience will be a thing of the past. We are still urging the private sector to consider this option and implement, to respond to the crisis of youth unemployment, inequality and poverty.

We began deliberations with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Council (NHC) Advocate Mancotywa earlier this year with the view of establishing why 40 years later , there no site to preserve the story and legacy of Kalushi as a key player in the liberation heritage of South Africa.

I am delighted to announce that Advocate Mancotywa will in his remarks announce the decision and process to follow regarding the decision taken by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) regarding this matter.

We must however declare to the Mahlangu family, South Africans and the international community that Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu will not die whilst we are alive!

We hope that the decision by SAHRA will indeed be welcomed by South Africans and instil a sense of patriotism amongst the youth. We have also ensured that a lot of young people go out in their numbers to register to vote in the upcoming national general elections.

The Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Voter Registration and Education Campaign (VREC) by the National Youth Service Programme intensified in the last leg of registration by the IEC target eligible young voted across all high schools, universities and TVET colleges.

We are hopeful that come the 8th of May 2019, young people will go out in their numbers to vote.

I thank you. 

Enquiries:
Lerato Gambu
Cell: 064 860 0716

Programme Director, the combination of the SKMSF and the initiative of the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) to preserve the memories of the liberation struggle as part of the country’s heritage makes the 40th commemoration of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu a significant gesture to honour the sacrifices of young people through celebrating the legacy of Kalushi.

Programme Director, the combination of the SKMSF and the initiative of the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) to preserve the memories of the liberation struggle as part of the country’s heritage makes the 40th commemoration of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu a significant gesture to honour the sacrifices of young people through celebrating the legacy of Kalushi.

The NYDA declared the year 2019 to be the Year of the Youth, spearheading to its logical conclusion the battle for the scrapping of experience as an entry requirement to all government and private sector entry level vacancies. A victory for all young people as declared by government that as of 01st April 2019 experience will be a thing of the past. We are still urging the private sector to consider this option and implement, to respond to the crisis of youth unemployment, inequality and poverty.

We began deliberations with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Council (NHC) Advocate Mancotywa earlier this year with the view of establishing why 40 years later , there no site to preserve the story and legacy of Kalushi as a key player in the liberation heritage of South Africa.

I am delighted to announce that Advocate Mancotywa will in his remarks announce the decision and process to follow regarding the decision taken by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) regarding this matter.

We must however declare to the Mahlangu family, South Africans and the international community that Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu will not die whilst we are alive!

We hope that the decision by SAHRA will indeed be welcomed by South Africans and instil a sense of patriotism amongst the youth. We have also ensured that a lot of young people go out in their numbers to register to vote in the upcoming national general elections.

The Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Voter Registration and Education Campaign (VREC) by the National Youth Service Programme intensified in the last leg of registration by the IEC target eligible young voted across all high schools, universities and TVET colleges. We are hopeful that come the 8th of May 2019, young people will go out in their numbers to vote.
I thank you. 

Enquiries:
Lerato Gambu
Cell: 064 860 0716

Chairperson Sifiso Mtsweni: Launch of NYDA voter registration and education campaign

Chairperson Sifiso Mtsweni: Launch of NYDA voter registration and education campaign

Speaking notes of the Executive Chairperson of The National Youth Development Agency (Nyda), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni at the occasion of the launch of the NYDA voter registration and education campaign, Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga province
Programme Director,
Executive Mayor of Thembisile Local Municipality, Cllr Nomsa Mtsweni
Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board,
Members of the NYDA Board
CEO of the NYDA, Mr Waseem Carrim
Executive Management,
Cllr Mpumi,
Distinguished Guests,
The representative of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
Members of the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good day,

South Africa’s fifth democratic administration has entered its final year with national general elections due mid-year. The history of our country tells a tale of sacrifice and commitment by young people to bring apartheid to its knees. Thus, when we speak about entrenching the values and safeguarding our democratic dispensation one cannot overemphasize the role of the youth.

Every year, South Africa celebrates the bravery of the class of 1976 and we continue to express gratitude to the generation that heralded an era of democracy and freedom. Lest we forget the role played by young people such Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, whom at the face of death remarked: “My blood will nourish the tree the will bear the fruits of freedom”.

It is young people like Peter Mokaba, affectionately known as the Roaring Lion of the North, who took up leading role during the struggle against apartheid domination.  This year is no ordinary year South Africa’s youth. Peter Mokaba would have been 60 years old had he lived. Many young people were deprived of their youth, by confronting the apartheid beast towards a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.

In 2018, NYDA committed to fighting youth unemployment and declared the year, THE YEAR AGAINST YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT. We are glad to report that we have successfully lobbied the government to scrap experience as a requirement for all entry-level vacancies. A demand justified by the high unemployment rate amongst graduates.

This year we have declared it the year of the YOUTH. A year of great determination towards ensuring that the agenda of youth is realised. We are at the centre of ensuring that as many young people make it to the legislators in the country. We need radical and militant young people to fill up the benches of Parliament. For Peter Mokaba and his generation declared “Nothing about us, without us”. A slogan that continues to drive the agenda for youth socio-economic empowerment. This year we will roll-out the NYS programme to reach 1 million young people.

Today, our voter education drive started at Entokozweni High School wherein we encouraged eligible learners to get their ID documents, go register and vote. This we did cognisant to the fact that schools remain cardinal in entrenching values of democracy. It is our belief that a clear partnership between our schools and the Department of Home Affairs will go a long way in ensuring that our learners get their ID books and smart cards timeously and register this upcoming weekend.

We also visited the CN Mahlangu TVET College and spread the message of hope and encourage young people to go and register and vote. Our team took time to teach youth about Xse, which is synonymous to the ‘X’ that voters put on the ballot paper and which has featured in previous election campaigns.

Students have promises us to exercise their right to vote by going out in their numbers to register and vote. As we head to the polls as young people, we are celebrating the right to vote as a significant tool to restore the values of a non-racial society. It cannot be business as usual that a day does not go by without incidents of racism in our country. Our schools should not be a battlefield of racial superiority. Our country deserves better. 

The IEC has launched the National and Provincial Elections 2019 programme. During the launch, Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr Glen Mashinini said, “Despite representing over 50 per cent of the population, South Africans aged under 30 years old have the lowest levels of voter registration.

“The young people of South Africa comprise an increasingly powerful and crucial segment of our economy, our culture, our democracy and our country. But until they register and vote they are unable to exercise their right to participate in choosing the future of our country”.

It is in this context that as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) viewed this report as a serious indictment onto our maturing democracy. We have as a response to this low voter registration amongst the youth mandated the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP) unit of the agency to develop a comprehensive strategy and come up with a campaign. The thrust of the campaign would be to support the registration drive and encourage voter registration ahead of elections. At the epicentre of this campaign will be urging young people in general, first-time voters, in particular, to register and vote come election day.

Through the social cohesion pillar, entrenching democracy and ensuring patriotism, the NYDA has taken an initiative to deliver the Voter Registration and Education Campaign (VREC). The intention is to capacitate youth and increase youth participation during elections period. Young people must know their role in preserving our democracy and the power they have, which is exercised through casting one’s vote.                                                                             

There is a further concern that youth particularly in rural areas, often mention that they are not aware of various voter education programs. Therefore, it becomes very important that all key stakeholders in the youth development sector take lead in ensuring that young people of South African are informed about their role and importance they have in elections. Youth participation in elections is the responsibility of every citizen, to build the knowledge of patriotism and partake in the strengthening democracy.

The NYSP has collaborated with the IEC to come up with the Voter Education and Registration (VREC). This campaign rolled out across nine provinces gathering the highest number of volunteers for the VREC shows the deepest sense of patriotism amongst our youth to preserve the legacy of Tata Madiba and Mama Albertina Sisulu.

It is important to highlight the following as some of the successes of government as it relates to fighting triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality:

1. The government has declared Free Education with NSFAS administering the fund for qualifying students as per the criteria determined by the state for a household earning 350 000 or less per annum.
2.  President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged companies to invest in the country and give priority to the youth (Jobs Summit)
3.  The government has launched the Youth Employment Service (YES) to enable youth to find employment.
4.  Establishment of the Ministry of Small Business Development
In this week, the NYDA will ensure that all eligible voters take the opportunity to visit the IEC offices weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. 

The IEC provides assistance in all official languages on 0800 11 8000 and is available to respond to queries submitted via email and the IEC’s Twitter account and Facebook page. We take this opportunity to encourage young people to check if they are registered by using the SMS line. To check if one is registered please SMS ID numbers to 32810. A key aspect of the campaign will also be to encourage already registered voters to also use the opportunity of the registration weekend or the online facility to check and update their address details.

We hope that our efforts to mobilise young people to exercise their democratic right will assist in strengthening democracy. Our volunteers are visible in the street of every township and village in the country, work with them and get the necessary information about the IEC and elections workshops held in our communities.

I officially declare the NYDA Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Voter Education and Registration Campaign Officially open. 

Ngiyabonga.

NYDA Executive Chairperson, Sifiso Mtsweni unveils plans for Youth Month 2018

Statement of the National Youth Development Agency on Youth month 2018, by Mr Sifiso Mtsweni, NYDA Executive Chairperson

Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Waseem Carrim and other Executive Directors
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This year marks the 42nd Anniversary since the cowardly and dastardly acts of the apartheid regime that mowed down defenceless students who rightfully demanded equal, accessible and quality education from the government. Those students stood shoulder to shoulder and toe to toe against a regime that sought to impose its minority language and being to the oppressed vast majority of our country

In line with our tradition to commemorate the Youth Month (celebrated in June), as a historic month marking the struggles and contribution by young people towards a free and democratic South Africa. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will this year continue to host month-long activities across the length and breadth of our country.

This year’s Youth Month takes place during heightened celebrations of the centenary year of Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. Government is hosting various activities to this effect, such as the dialogue session that took place on various medium counting down to the official Nelson

Mandela Day under the #LiveHisLegacy .
We are proud announce that the approved theme for Youth Month 2018 is Live the Legacy: Towards A Socio-Economically Empowered Youth.   As the NYDA we continue to encourage young people to emulate the values and virtues of our heroes and heroines. Young people should live the legacy.

Towards the end of last year, we announced that our Head Office is officially known as The Tsietsi Mashini House. The event was led by then Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jeff Radebe (current Minister of Energy). We decided to honour the June 16 generation by bestowing the head offices of youth development in remembrance of one of the conceptualists and leader of the student protest in Soweto which spread across the whole of the country. We took a conscious decision that this year we will honour those who sought to sacrifice their lives in pursuit of the freedom of others, this is why this year we, in commemoration of the life and times of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, were also joined by the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr David Mabuza in celebrating the success of one hundred (100) beneficiaries of the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Fund which was the first batch of graduates. This fund was established to honour his fearlessness and not bending commitment to the people of South Africa. when at the face of death orchestrated by the brutal apartheid regime Solomon Mahlangu unshakenly declared that“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom”. This was to be a signal of a cliff to which the apartheid regime would ultimately fall.

The agency has begun discussions on the broadcasting of the movie Kalushi: The story of Solomon Mahlangu on youth day (16 June), across SABC channels to ensure that a story of martyrdom and sacrifice by young people for our liberation reverberates and guides all youth in their various endeavours. Because to us young people remain the greatest asset and guarantor for the future of South Africa.

At the centre of the youth activism in shaping South Africa’s future was organisations like the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO), and the Progressive Youth Alliance made up of student and Christian movements. A central figure in that organisation is the well renowned radical Lion of the North, Peter Mokaba. Our Youth Month program for 2018 under the theme “NYDA Goes Rural” will be focussed in the province of Limpopo which we will outline activities that will take place there. This includes the official visit to the graveside of this radical and militant martyr and face of youth resistance during fight against apartheid.

We have declared this year as a year to fight unemployment, this is because our country seems to be experiencing growing levels of unemployment, with the latest figures as reported by Statistics South Africa. Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2018 paints a bleak future.

Notably is that “Of the 10,3 million persons aged 15-24 years, 32,4% (approximately 3,3 million) were not in employment, education or training- implying that close to one in three young South Africans between the ages of 15 and 24 years were disengaged with the labour market in the first quarter of 2018”. In this case we must ask if the youth is Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), where are South Africa’s young people and what are they busy with? The answer lies in that whilst they idle they become part of crime and violence.

In the final analysis, these statistics suggests that South Africa’s youth are hardest hit by unemployment, poverty and inequality. Of importance is that for youth development to be at the epicentre of government planning, the role of the NYDA is paramount.

In lieu of the above as we celebrate Youth Month, we must reignite the commitment of all role players in youth development. Part of the important milestones, should be a call to release progress to-date of all policies, programmes and interventions aimed at ensuring economic emancipation of young people. This is in line with the fact that youth development is everyone’s business and therefore all ought to give an indication and account on how far they have gone in implementing amongst others the Youth Employments Accord, Youth-Target set-asides and most importantly the National Youth Policy (2020) which has entered its third year and therefore review imminent.

We reiterate our call for 40% youth representation across all government departments and all jobs in the private sector. This remains a key solution to this impasse. We are also saying that Government move with speed to introduce the scrapping of experience as a requirement for entry level jobs. Like all progressive laws aimed at changing the lives of society this must be law. This will drastically reduce number of unemployed graduates which currently stands at 33,5% for those aged 15-24 and 10,2% among those aged 25-34 years.
It cannot be business as usual when youth unemployment has reached 38,2% among young people aged 15-34 years.
We have noted and welcomed the introduction of the Youth Employment Service (YES) launched by government.

Ours is to ensure that YES initiative does not become another strategy or an intervention solely to tick a box especially by the Private Sector. It is our feeling that for far too long this sector has folded its arms while the situation worsens, we call on the private sector to do more. We will also ensure that whilst this initiative continues, we engage with YES and social partners to ensure that it creates sustainable jobs for young people and not become another glorified internship program.
We will engage the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation to take to task all government departments on the adopted policies aimed at improving the lives of young people. The future of South Africa depends on a socio-economically active young citizenry.

Organised labour should be challenged to begin engaging on the Future of Work, especially in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We must as society begin to engage on how mechanisation will impact our labour force, especially young people. Whilst we do this, we must also call on our society in general to encourage innovation to respond to this era of technology. As a country we must also be in a position to export rather than import technology and innovation

On Femicide
The increased killings of women in general and young school going girls and university students is an indictment to our democracy. We condemn all forms of violence against young women! We will drive programs aimed at conscientizing young men on this scourge and we continue to call on law enforcement agencies to protect young girls and women. Through the Office of the Executive Deputy Chairperson, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa; the NYDA continues to have necessary dialogues with students at universities. Known as Dialogues on Entrepreneurial Skills and Gender Violence. We will post mid-year examinations continue to implement this programme vociferously.

On youth month 2018
Upon assuming office, the NYDA Board committed to take the NYDA out of the Boardrooms directly to young people. Our NYDA-goes-Rural programme is in full swing with intensification in the Youth Month of 2018.

A detailed calender will outline and shared after the official launch on Monday. However the primary focus of our month long program will be the launching of new offices, the visit to rural areas with specific focus on the Limpopo program where in partnership with the provincial Government will see the first ever Youth Month Legacy project that will see the building of a brand new youth centre in one of the Municipal areas. On the 4th of June 2018 we will have the official launch of Youth Month at the Hector Peterson Memorial which will be attended by the Gauteng Provincial Government and addressed by the Minister in the Presidency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

We will on the day also showcase beneficiaries of the NYDA who became success stories, there will be a full beneficiary stand at the official launch to give society a glimpse of the lives that the NYDA has changed

We have moved considerably in turning all NYDA Offices into Wi-FI Hotspots and introducing the NYDA app. NYDA is now available at the finger-tips of every young person.
Thus, Youth Month 2018 will be a period to open full service branches and service centres in the following areas:
Newcastle   (Full-Service)
Richards Bay  (Full-Service)
Groblersdal (Service Centre)
Tzaneen (Service Centre)
George (Service Centre)
Upington (Service Centre)
Umthatha (Service Centre)
Alfred Nzo
Chris Hani Region
Mogale City
Sedibeng
Xhariep
Welkom

KZN Provincial Government Support and Sponsorship
We must take this time to also commend the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government for signing a Memorandum of Agreement (M.O.A) with the NYDA which will assist entrepreneurs in the province through our grant funding programme and other products and services of the NYDA. The M.O.U started on the 01 April 2017 and will last for the next years until 31 March 2020. The partnership is for R5,5 million over this period.

Furthermore the Office of the Premier has donated six (6) mobile vehicle to be used as outreach offices to reach the far and wide areas.

We call on other provinces to show the same commitment to youth development. We have always decried the fact that the NYDA remains severely underfunded whilst in the recent period become one of the best run state institutions. We call on Government to increase the funding for the agency in order for the agency to play its full meaningful role in changing the lives of young people in the country.

Considering the contribution of Tata Madiba and Mme Sisulu who were youth activists, we are indebted to ensure that their legacy is preserved. It is this context that part of our programme to restore their legacy but most importantly to ensure that we emulate their fortitude, resolve and commitment to the youth of South Africa.

Youth Day
The Department of Arts and Culture, the NYDA and the Presidency will this year host the  Youth Day on June 16, 2018. This year’s celebrations will be held at Orlando Stadium, Soweto. The state of readiness will be communicated throughout this period. On the Day we will also be joined by the President in the remembrance walk from Moris Isaacson to the Orlando Stadium.

Siya Kolisi & Miss South Africa 2018
We take this opportunity to officially congratulate Siya Kolisi (26) on his appointment as Captain of the Springboks, and Tamaryn Green (23) on winning the Miss SA beauty pageant. Both at a very young age, these trailblazers are an embodiment of a limitless youth of South Africa playing their part in social cohesion and nation building. To us the appointment of the young people at various positions of authority and leadership responsibilities is a great step towards our future. The future is youthful.
Thank you
Media Enquiries:
Mr. Lerato Gambu
Cell: 064 860 0716


Chairperson Sifiso Mtsweni: NYDA Youth Month Closing Gala Dinner

Remarks by the Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni at the occasion of the NYDA Youth Month Closing Gala Dinner, Hayani Guest House, Polokwane- Limpopo Province
Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Service, Mr Thabang Makwetla
Premier of Limpopo Province, Mr Stan Chupu Mathabatha
Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa
NYDA Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer, Mr Waseem Carrim
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Partners in Youth Development,
Future of South Africa,

Today marked yet another painful day for the people of Limpopo in general and South Africans in particular. We laid to rest the mortal remains of late MEC of Agriculture, Mme Joyce Mashamba.

In its statement the South African Communist Party declared Mme Mashamba as “A fine revolutionary, resolute gender activist, and communist to the end”. We say rest in eternal peace Ma, and that your spirit should continue to guide the fight for a just society for women and children.

This is because the latest Statistics South Africa Report titled Crime against Women in South Africa: An in-depth analysis of the Victims of Crime Survey data 2018, suggests that the murder rates of men and women declined between 2000 and 2015‚ but the murder rate for women more than doubled (117%) between 2015 and 2016/17.

Addressing the launch of Youth Month 2018, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mama Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma raised questioned South Africa’s youth saying “Why do we find it in ourselves to kill each other (which is an antithesis of the fact that the previous generation was killed by the apartheid system)?”

The struggle for young people remains prevalent in our society. We, therefore, have committed ourselves as the Agency to work with community-based organizations and youth structures to ensure that the lives of young people are prioritized. We took time to address the National Youth Summit on Crime Prevention and encouraged youth to play an important role in creating safer communities and environments.

We urge call on all young men to join the South African government’s’ 100 Men March to stop violence against women and children. The march will take place on the 10th of July 2018, at Pretoria Church Square at 10h00 am.

This evening marks an official closing ceremony of the Youth Month. Celebrated under the theme “Live the Legacy: Towards a Socio-Economically Empowered Youth”. A theme informed by the centenary celebrations of the life and times of Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. However, we must reiterate our position that the role of our youth in the struggle for freedom and democracy must be celebrated every day. Both government and private sector should in their work promote the inclusion and participation of young people in the mainstream economy.

Reflections of Youth Month

Youth Day

This years’ Youth Day was preceded by the traditional launch at the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum, Soweto. We began the month by outlining our month long-activities directed at ensuring that we expand the NYDA footprint by establishing full service branches and district service centres. We also committed to use the month of young people to share real life stories of NYDA beneficiaries by conduction beneficiary sites.

On Youth Day, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency. Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa lead a Youth Day Thuma Mina Walk from the historic Morris Isaacson Secondary School to the Hector Pieterson for a wreath laying ceremony. The most important declaration on Youth Day, is during the Presidents’ keynote address at Orlando Stadium on 16 Jun 2018, when he said:

“On this Youth Day, we call on all companies – both in the public and private sector – to make a deliberate effort to seek out unemployed graduates and employ them.”

A commitment that as the NYDA will follow and take to task public and private sector on a quarterly basis. We must be able through the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation understand how far every sector of society has moved in implementing policies aimed at improving the lives of young people.

Accessibility of the NYDA

Exactly 419 days ago a new Board of the NYDA was appointed to lead a youth development trajectory in South Africa. Following rigorous induction training and a strategic planning session the Board resolved to embark on a journey to fulfil its vision and mission of becoming an activist, capable and developmental agency for South Africa’s Youth.

This month we begun our path of ensuring that we bridge the distance between a young person and an NYDA Office. Our view remains that a person should not be taken from pillar to post to access our services and any other related intervention and programmes.

We successfully opened a full service branch of the NYDA at Empangeni near Richards Bay in partnership with the Umhlathuze Municipality. Unveiled a brand new relocated branch at Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, and launched media partnership with Rise FM. This will go a long in ensuring that young people of that Province reach news and updates related to the work of the NYDA and listen to testimonies by beneficiaries of our programmes. We have also unveiled six mobile vehicles in partnership with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Government.

These vehicles serve as outreach vehicle and mobile office, ensuring that we reach young people in rural areas. In the month of July, in honour of Tata Nelson Mandela we will officially launch service centres in Tzaneen and Groblersdal. This will add access to the existing branches of NYDA in Polokwane and Thulamela. Being the latest branch of the NYDA in this Province, the Thulamela Branch has to date disbursed 18 grants to the value of over R 400 000 (in the Mopani area only) and provided various programmes such mentorship, and 2283 have undergone Job preparedness training.

The above mentioned branches have done us proud in continuing to deliver necessary services to the youth of the Province. It is in this province, that we came to visit beneficiaries of the NYDA. This followed the gravesite visit of the late Lion of the North, Peter Mokaba, whom we had dedicated this youth month to his life and contribution to our liberation. We on behalf of South Africa’s young people promised to never betray the course of freedom, for freedom without economic emancipation of youth remain a mirage.

Branches Report
The NYDA branches have throughout the Youth Month gave necessary messages to the Youth Sectoral Parliaments in various province. we have indicated our desire to see resolution of these gathering finding resonance and practicality in the lives of young people. We must move from policy to practice. Enough with talk shops, youth development must transform the lives of young people.

Through our branches we have reached out to youth with disabilities since they have indicated that they feel neglected and marginalised on youth development matters. It has been therefore our preoccupation to ensure that we attend and resolve their issues. We have interacted through our Bloemfontein office with SIGNA Academy focusing on training and skills development for youth with disabilities. NYDA has provided EDP training and will sign a partnership agreement at the end of July.

We took part in the Gauteng Career Expo at Nasrec. The highlight being NYDA beneficiaries had an opportunity to display their craft and businesses for the duration of the exhibitions. A discussion on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the future of work was held by the Department of Labour and Science and Technology. We attended the dialogue and reiterated our call for the scraping of experience for entry-level jobs. Young people must never be hindered by experience to get employment. And as we march forward it is our agenda to see 40% representation of youth in position of authority and responsibility, both in the public and private sector.

In the Western Cape, we had an intensive National Youth Service Programme lead by the Deputy Executive Chairperson. This programme continues register a success in skilling our youth, with a 20 years’ partnership with the Flemish government. A detailed report on various work undertaken by NYDA Branches will be accessible across our social media.

The youth of the Eastern Cape must note that the NYDA has in the Youth Month signed MOUs with four district munipalities with the aim of opening branhes before the ned of the 2018/2019 financial year. We have signed with the Alfred Nzo, Sarah Baartman, OR Tambo and Joe Gqabi District Municipality. The Department of Social Development, Department of Transport and the Department of Public Works have also indicated that they will be entering into partnership with the NYDA.

We are glad that government is seeing the importance of entering into partnerships with the only youth development agency in our country mandated to mainstream youth affairs across all sectors of society. Ours is to continue to express our desire to see the private sector doing more for young people. Youth Development is Everyone’s Business.

BRICS Youth Summit
We continue to engage on necessary dialogues to confront the future. Youth Month saw us deliberate our support and preparation to host the 4th BRICS Youth Summit. This is in line with the 10th BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa under the theme “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for the Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. The Youth Summit will provide a platform for young people to engage on how the youth can benefit from this strategic partnership, reflect on previous summits and provide solutions to the future. These proposals will be tabled at the main summit.

Provision of Free School Uniform and Sanitary Towels
The dignity of an African child remains in question from the day they arrive at school. Thus it is important to start youth development where it should at an early stage of a child’s life. We appreciate the call by the President to prioritise infrastructure development at our schools. In support of this call we wish to add that because education is an apex priority, government must provide school uniform for free from Grade 1 until last grade. This call goes hand in glove with our call for provision of free sanitary towels to all school going children.

The sacrifices made by our Father of the Nation must translate into the successes of young people on the ground. Young people must draw inspiration from the endurance of our freedom fighters for their continued determination in dismantling the brutal system of apartheid. The courage displayed by Mama Albertina Sisulu must live in all of us.
As we officially close Youth Month 2018, we commit to do more and ensure that every day is a day to celebrate the youth. To the youth of the country youth development is our passion and we shall never rest until all young people are economically free. Let’s join hands in the path towards our own economic emancipation for nothing will give if we continue to become spectator of the game we have to be playing.

In the words of President Ramaphosa “The challenges that our youth face are great, but they are not insurmountable”
We shall overcome!
I thank you. 

Chairperson Sifiso Mtsweni: Launch of NYDA Fezile Dabi District Office

14 Dec 2018

Address by the Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni at Tweeling, Free State Province, during the NYDA Fezile Dabi District Office Launch
Premier of Free State, Imboko Mme Sisi Notombela
Mayor of Mafube Municipality, Cllr Jabulani Sigasa;
Cllr Sonto Motaung;
Executive Directors of the NYDA,
Ms Buyisiwe Khoza, Director of the Inqaba Yokulinda Youth Organization;
Mr Doctor Mochana;
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Members of the Media,
Dumelang,

Today is yet another important day as we register another milestone as part of the National Youth Development Agency’s (NYDA) Board strategic direction and focus.

The NYDA Board had in response to the many cries of young people about the accessibility of the NYDA, resolved to broaden its footprint by ensuring that it expands its reach. This meant that the NYDA must exist across all 52 districts in the country.

We are delighted that we gather for the official launch of the NYDA Fezile Dabi District Office. A model that we have successfully implemented a few months ago in Groblersdal, Ladysmith and Tzaneen.

Honourable Premier, the NYDA declared 2018 as the year to fight youth unemployment. We further took a decision that in response to the issues of youth unemployment, we must establish the NYDA Jobs Fund and Skills Fund. We can report that as part of our plans these funds are well on course. This is against a backdrop of increasing youth unemployment, poverty and inequality. It is our belief that as we expand our reach, we will be offering the best of service to the youth particularly with the objective of entrenching an entrepreneurial mindset, for we believe that creation of entrepreneurs will lead to more job creation. South Africa’s has a low Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) standing 11,4% which increased by 6,9% since 2016. We believe that we are on the right path to creating ore job creators as opposed to job seekers.

We cannot underscore the importance of education as an important asset for our county in general and youth in particular. It is in this context that when we realised as the NYDA that youth unemployment stands at a staggering 52,5% with a 28% graduate unemployment. This cannot be a normal situation. Thus the NYDA spearheaded the call for the scrapping of experience as an entry requirement for all entry-level jobs in both the public and the private sector. A declaration has been made by the government that as of 2019 experience will be scrapped. A victory for the YOUTH of our motherland.

We further welcome the launch of the e-Recruitment system in the public service as part of a wide government process to make it simpler and easier for people, especially the youth, to apply for job opportunities in the public service. According to the Ministry of Public Service, “ the e-Recruitment system or applications through the digital Z83 system is currently being phased-in, beginning with the national Departments of Labor; Higher Education and Training; Office of the Public Service Commission, Public Service and Administration, National School of Government and the Centre for Public Service Innovation, with the process expected to be completed by 31 March 2019. The roll-out the system to the rest of the Public Service effective from 1 April 2019.”

Indeed this is a clear indication of a digital age and a move towards the fourth industrial revolution. Like many other offices of the NYDA, the Fezi Dabi District Office, known as the Tweeling Service Centre will enable young people to access free Wi-Fi and internet services in order to apply for opportunities that exist in the public and private sector. Young people from across the Fezile Dabi District will have access to products and services offered by the NYDA and benefit meaningfully from various developmental interventions relating to skills development, economic development, and national youth service. We are hopeful that through our EDP programme young aspiring entrepreneurs will access relevant skills, values, attitudes and knowledge to develop and create own business. It is our belief that we will hear more beneficiaries stories in the area of Mafube Municipality and other areas in the district.

Programme Director; let me take this opportunity to send gratitude on behalf of the Agency Board to the Office of the Premier for continuous support to the NYDA. It is humbling to witness how youth development is at the centre of economic growth and development of the Free State Province. Let me also thank the Mafube Local Municipality, Inqaba Yokulinda Youth Organization, and other stakeholders for ensuring that we have this launch. Youth Development is EVERYONE’S BUSINESS and the only way to achieve maximum results in creating the future of our country is through partnerships. 
It is also important to mention that we are finalising Lejweleputswa Service Centre and Xhariep, where a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed. It is our desire to launch service centres across all districts of the Free State Province by end of financial year. We hope that young people will take full advantage of this centre.

I take this opportunity to also wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. I extend our good luck wishes to the matric class of 2018. To all young people this festive season, let us all be responsible, buckle-up, do not speed and do not drink and drive. Fika Uphephile!

Thank you.

Message of support by the Executive Chairperson

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT BY THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NYDA MR SIFISO MTSWENI AT THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF NYDA EMPANGENI FULL SERVICE BRANCH, EMPANGENI NEAR RICHRADS BAY, KWAZULU-NATAL -  26 JUNE 2018.
 
Honourable Executive Mayor of Umhlathuze Local Municipality, Cllr M.G. Mhlongo
Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa
Speaker of the Umhlathuze Local Municipality,
Chiefwhip of the Umhlathuze Local Municipality,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Partners in Youth Development,
Future of South Africa,
 
It gives me great pleasure and honour to deliver the message of support on behalf of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

Today marks another important day in the life of the NYDA Board of Directors which was appointed last. Assuming office, the NYDA Board committed to move the NYDA from boardrooms to where young people are. But this day is also of significance to the he youth of this region. This is because the NYDA is fulfilling its commitment to being accessible and offering its products and services.

It must be said without a shadow of doubt that this new full service branch will ensure that youth have access to products and services offered by the NYDA and other partners at one centre. This is commendable considering the challenges that face our youth. From today a young person of the district will benefit immensely from various developmental institutions relating to skills development, economic development and national youth service.

We are also proud to have worked with the office of the Executive Mayor of uMhlathuze Local Municipality without any hindrances. We must say that we hope our working relationship will persist to further the agenda of a socio-economically empowered youth. It is clear to us that the there is a good culture of prioritising youth development in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. this evident through how we have been working and continue to work in this province. We will again this week open a branch in Newcastle. This is because of our good relation with all stakeholders in the Province. On behalf of South Africa’s youth NYDA thanks you.

At the beginning of April this financial year, our memorandum of agreement kicked in with the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, UBaba Mchunu. The three-year MOA to the total value of R5,5 million rand will continue to 2020.

This allocation is ring-fenced to provided services of entrepreneurship to youth of the province. The province further sponsored the NYDA with 6 mobile vehicles that serve at outreach vehicles reaching rural parts of the province and ensuring that youth people benefit from the NYDA.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) understands that the struggles waged by young people to ultimately bring apartheid to its knees are befitting enough for young people to be celebrated. Thus government and private sector carries an obligation to provide an avalanche of opportunities for economic emancipation of the youth.

In celebrating the centenary year of Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, we have called on all young people of South Africa to emulate the good deeds and values of these stalwarts by becoming of service to others and in particular develop a patriotic spirit about their country.

The NYDA has called on youth to become critical role players in the fight against the scourge of violence against women and children. Young men must at the centre of defeating this Horrible actions and declare “NOT IN MY NAME”. Stop the violence against young women. We cannot any longer. The time has come for the abuse to stop.

I want to encourage everyone here to take youth development seriously. Progress is inevitable, and it requires a radical struggle.  But that’s the story of how we overcame Apartheid, and women’s rights, and workers’ rights, and voting rights.  Ours is a generation who will lead the change. We will rise to Economic Freedom. Rise young people, rise, our time is now!
 
Ngiyabonga!

Executive Deputy Bavelile Hlongwa: Official launch of NYDA Newcastle Full Service Branch

Executive Deputy Bavelile Hlongwa: Official launch of NYDA Newcastle Full Service Branch

22 Oct 2018

Speaking Notes of the Executive Deputy  of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Ms Bavelile Hlongwa at the occasion of the official launch of the NYDA Newcastle Full Service Branch, at Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Province; 22 October 2018
District Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality, Cllr Dr. Ngubane
Executive Mayor of Newcastle Municipality, Cllr Adv. E.M Nkosi
Board Members of the NYDA,
Speaker of the Municipality,
Executive Directors,
Municipal Manager,
Young people of Newcastle,

It gives me great joy to give salutations on behalf of the NYDA. I am delighted to be part of this august event, beginning a new era in youth development trajectory within the District.

We meet a day after centenary celebrations in honour of Mama Albertina Sisulu. Speaking at the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Mama Sisulu’s birthday, Minister Jeff Radebe said, “Women of fortitude, taking cue from Mama Sisulu’s lived experience, are women who do not despair at the face of enormous challenges. Imbokodo are women who marched to the Union Building in 1956 at the face of apartheid brutal repression. Women of fortitude, Imbokodo, are women who must fearlessly fight for the radical socio-economic transformation of our country.”

“Through the prism of Mama Sisulu’s lived experience, women of fortitude must see solutions on the various challenges facing our people and very importantly provide leadership towards their resolution. We must urge all our people not just to amplify the challenges we face but equally the solutions that must be taken by all and sundry to make South Africa a better country than it was in 1994.”

Mama Sisulu’s spirit continues to guide young women of our times to stand up against the continuing abuse and violence. Majority of young people have in the previous weeks rallied behind the young Cheryl Zondi. It is commendable that through various forms the overarching message became #IBelieverHer. Though a lot of us agree that the law must take its course, we are in tandem that abuse, rape and crime against women and children have reached intolerable state, wherein young women are even target at institutions of higher learning. It cannot be business as usual, as President Cyril Ramaphosa says, “voices of women must be heard”

Programme Director we urge all young women to make use of the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs). These centres are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to build a case ready for successful prosecution.

Honourable Mayor, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has through various activities across South Africa reached young people and left a lasting impact on their future. Today is no different as we continue spreading a message of hope and encourage young people to take advantage of all the opportunities brought by the democratic government. Since the establishment of the NYDA, it has received a lot of criticism on its accessibility to young people in the so-called marginalized parts of our country. In this context, a lot of work has been done only at urban areas and minimal achievement in rural areas.

It gives me great pleasure to highlight that the NYDA Board of Directors alongside its Chief Executive Officer presented its annual report for the 2017/2018 financial year in parliament. We have successfully delivered yet another Clean Audit outcome as declared by the Audit General of South Africa. A testimonial that the NYDA leadership is able to spend its budget allocation correctly focusing on implementing its mandate. It is also evidence that young people given an opportunity to occupy position of responsibility and accountability within the public and private sector can deliver, placing youth development at the centre of our country’s developmental agenda.

The Board has not only achieved its oversight role, but has managed to achieve its new strategic focus, which includes but is not limited to amongst others; establishing more full service branches and service centres across the country. To us expanding the NYDA’s footprint means giving much awaited hand up to young people in the quest of becoming entrepreneurs and increasing a cohort of young people who want to become job creators as opposed to job seekers.

The official launch and opening of the Newcastle Full Service Branch brings with itself opportunities for the youth to benefit from the products and services of the NYDA. More importantly, it signifies how youth development remains a responsibility of everyone. I must, on behalf of the Agency take this opportunity to send our message of gratitude to the Newcastle Local Municipality.

We are confident that as we open this branch, young people will have access to opportunities to change their live for the better. Our partnership with the National Student Financial Scheme (NSFAS) will be able to reach matriculants as they sit final examinations. Young people of the district are now closer to access our Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Fund opening soon.

Without a shadow of doubt, the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings along a great threat on the future of work. An important conversation should earnestly begin on the readiness of government and private sector to provide and sustain employment for the majority of the people in general and young people in particular. Opening the full service branch, we are also opening access to unlimited Wi-Fi to young people for the future of our youth lies in the use of internet and ability to use it for innovation.

The current debate on access to data and its exorbitant cost is of outmost importance. During the highly anticipated Presidential Jobs Summit, as the NYDA we called breaking down barriers of entry into the job market. This includes enabling broadband access through lowering data costs, as massive data costs are a hindrance for young job seekers.

We thank the Amajuba District Municipality for also being part of this launch and we hope this partnership will go a long way as we continue on the path for meaningful interventions focused on economic emancipation and empowerment. In the words of Tata Madiba “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. 

They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth who care for and protect our people”.

I thank you.