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The Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and Chairperson of National Planning Commission, Jeff Radebe hosted a youth dialogue on the National Development Plan (NDP) in Soweto, Meadowlands on 27th June 2016. The dialogue was part of a series of conversations with youth on the NDP.

The first dialogue was held in Mthatha where more than 180 youth achievers from the disability, business, and community development sectors. The youth were engaging with the Minister and representatives from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on the challenges they face as entrepreneurs.

The dialogue in Soweto was attended by more than 500 community members who engaged with the Minister on issues affecting them as a community. Issued raised in the dialogue included problems of substance abuse as well as ways to access funding through different government agencies.

Minister Radebe said, “the NDP outlines that by 2030 all South Africans must feel safe and secure, therefore communities need to work with police to curb the scourge of drug abuse.”

The dialogue also focused on the NDP and how it relates to young women and the youth. Minister Radebe also acknowledge community worker Dorah Mbokazi, who runs Dora’s Dancers in Meadowlands Soweto, which is a dance programme for young women.  Social entrepreneur Ramona Kasavan, who creates employment for young women through her brand of sanitary pads, Happy Days, was also commended for the work she is doing in creating jobs and improving the lives of young women in South Africa.

In concluding the dialogue, Radebe reiterated that, “the NDP will not be implemented by government alone and it also speaks to women and youth”.

The DPME will host its next youth dialogue in Durban on Friday, 1 July 2016.

Issued by GCIS