Date: 30/04/2009

Source: The Presidency

Title: SA: Tshabala-Msimang: Statement by the Minister in the Presidency on the National Youth Policy

It is a great pleasure of mine that I take this opportunity to share with you several pivotal developments that have occurred within the youth sector in South Africa in recent times.

Firstly, be informed that Cabinet has approved the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2009 to 2014. The NYP is a culmination of an extensive and comprehensive consultation exercise by relevant youth institutions in the quest for an integrated and sustainable youth development framework.

This policy will direct government and social partners in the pursuit of holistic youth development. This will go a long way in ensuring that as the new administration comes in, as well as the soon to be launched National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the gains that have already been made in youth development are consolidated through a clearly articulated policy.

I also speak on behalf of my colleagues in Cabinet when I say that we are proud of this development as the existence of this policy will assist us greatly in fostering sustainable youth employment, skills development and social cohesion. In light of the serious challenges faced by young people in respect to full participation in the socio-economic spheres in the country, the policy places much primacy on the provision of second chance opportunities so as to ensure that even those young people that have fallen out of the mainstream can be reintegrated into the broader society. The policy makes clear recommendations on how identified challenges in the areas of education, health, economic participation, social cohesion, and youth work are to be addressed through the intergovernmental relations model.

The implementation of the policy will be carried out by the National Youth Development Agency, government departments, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including the private sector. The Presidency will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring implementation by various role players in the three spheres of government while the private sector will provide support to the implementing role players. An implementation plan and sector specific youth development strategies are being developed to give effect to policy implementation.

I would like to thank the National Youth Commission (NYC), the youth desk in The Presidency, other key players in the youth sector, government broadly, and our social partners for their contribution in ensuring approval of this policy.

The second great achievement for the youth sector has much to do with our gathering today. Parliament has finalised the process of appointing the board members for the newly established National Youth Development Agency as provided for by the NYDA Act of 2008. The NYDA is a juristic person, listed in March 2009 as a national public entity and Schedule 3 Part A of the Public Finance Management Act. It will focus on intensifying implementation of youth development interventions through broadening access, maximising and accelerating impact, strengthening implementation capacity (youth development machinery) especially at provincial and local levels, sustaining youth development as a national priority, and ensuring seamless integration of services.

I therefore have an honour to announce that the following have been appointed as the Board members for the NYDA:

* Mr A Lungisa - Chairperson
* Mr Y Pillay- Deputy Chairperson
* Ms P Mekeleni
* Ms M Tshabalala
* Mr Khumalo
* Ms I Motau
* Mr FJ Slabber

This Board has a critical responsibility of managing the affairs of the NYDA as well as ensuring smooth transition during the merger of NYC and UYF. The NYDA will be launched in June 2009.

I lastly take this opportunity to acknowledge the NYC and Umsobomvu Youth Fund for being critical role players in youth development field as well as the government task team and Parliament Ad hoc committee for their relentless work towards establishment of the NYDA. In particular, I would like to extend a sincere word of appreciation to our private sector partners for their continued support in our endeavours. In this instance, I thank Vodacom for their contribution towards the success of today's event.

Thank you