The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

IFP Youth Brigade National Chairperson, and South Africa's youngest  
Member of Parliament, Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP, today reiterated the call  
he made in parliament on November 1, 2012 for the creation of a Youth  
Ministry to respond directly to youth matters.

Hlengwa was speaking during the inauguration of IFP branches in  
Izingolweni, just outside Port Shepstone.
"The results of the 2011 Census released on Tuesday reveal that almost  
60% of the South Africa population are youth (aged under 35). This  
revelation speaks the urgent need for a Youth Ministry to be created  
to deal directly with issues affecting the majority of our country,  
the youth who bear most the brutal brunt of the challenges facing  
South Africa." said Hlengwa
The IFP Youth Brigade has presented this logical and necessary  
proposal since 1998 much to the defiance of the ruling party. In  
November 2004 the IFPYB handed over a memorandum to government calling  
for the establishment of a Youth Ministry to no avail. But the  
findings of the census speak to the urgent need for a youth ministry  
to be created, "the rejection or failure to create a Youth Ministry is  
based on the sole fact that this is an IFP proposal.

The IFP is not  making this proposal for the IFP, we are proposing it for the youth of  
South Africa who are struggling to get by, and are confronted by high  
levels of unemployment and are devastated by poverty." added Hlengwa.
The Youth Ministry should take the form of a fully-fledged and  
well-resourced government department charged with vertical and  
horizontal operational powers at all levels and spheres of government  
to rapidly implement positive youth development and take  
responsibility for all youth affairs.

Hlengwa explained that "the Youth Ministry would be charged to focus  
on ensuring that government programs and policies respond to youth  
development, and exercise amongst other functions the necessary  
oversight and give direction on youth matters in government. The  
Ministry would also focus on implementation of, and oversight on,  
youth development in and out off government as opposed to the current  
situation of the National Youth Development Agency, which advances an  
ad hoc approach to youth development."

It is more than necessary that youth interests are expressed and  
coordinated by the youth.
Currently, there is not a single youth in President Zuma's cabinet,  
"surely if there is a women's , children and people with disabilities  
ministry it follows that youth should also have a ministry. Youth  
development is as important as women development. We can no longer  
afford to compromise on youth development." emphasized Hlengwa.
Moving foward Hlengwa said "The IFP Youth Brigade will launch an  
aggressive campaign calling for the Youth Ministry.

The dream of youth  
economic freedom will not materialize for as long as the youth are not  
rightly represented and properly represented in cabinet and in  
government. We will also send a letter to President Zuma outlining our  
reasoning and motivation for a Youth Ministry, and flowing out of his  
response we will explore the necessary avenues, and a signature  
campaign and march action are definite possibilities."