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The IFP Youth Brigade is encouraged by the statements made by President Zuma
during his reply to the budget debate of the Presidency.

"The President stated that there is a Youth Ministry, located in the
department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. The one issue that
remains is that of establishing it" said IFPYB National Chairperson, Mr.
Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

The IFP Youth Brigade has been fighting for a Youth Ministry to be
established since 1997 and the acknowledgement, in principle, by the
President that plans exist to make this happen gives hope that there is
light at the end of the tunnel.

"Details from the President were very sketchy on how the department will
work towards making it a full-fledged ministry working for the youth.
However, we see this is a victory for the youth brigade as well as for the
youth of South Africa as a whole" said Hlengwa.

"Such a ministry will allow for the voices of the youth to be heard and
their ideas to be incorporated into the national discourse of nation
building. We await with great anticipation to hear what steps will be taken
to translate talk of a youth ministry into reality"

"As the custodians of the Youth Ministry idea, we are readily available to
assist in its implementation" said Hlengwa