The National Youth Policy is based on a series of essential principles and values which have influenced its design and direction. These include, as a cornerstone of the National Youth Policy, the values enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Key principles on which the policy has been formulated are as follows:

Recognition of the manner in which young women and men have been affected by the imbalances of the past and the need to redress these imbalances through more equitable policies, programmes and the allocation of resources.

The National Youth Policy promotes a gender-inclusive approach to the development of young women and men, where the socialising influences of gender, the impact of sexism and the particular circumstances of young women are recognised. The National Youth Policy celebrates the many differences found amongst young people and promotes equal opportunity and treatment of all young people – male and female.

Creation of an environment which supports the continued life-long development of young men and women and their skills and capacities.

Promotion of young people's participation in democratic processes, as well as in community and civic decision-making and development.

Youth development services and programmes should be youth-driven and youth-centred.

Whilst recognising the need for youth-driven and youth-centred development programmes and services, the needs, opportunities and challenges facing young women and men are the concerns of the whole society. Youth development should be recognised as an important mandate for all government agencies, non-government organisations and development institutions.

Responds to the needs, challenges and opportunities experienced by young women and men in a realistic and participatory manner.

Recognition of cultural and spiritual diversity as a basis for youth development and the important role tradition, spirituality and culture can play in the development of young men and women.

The value of sustainability is promoted to ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The National Youth Policy promotes a rural emphasis in many of its strategies. Where many development efforts contain an urban bias, the National Youth Policy endeavours to recognise and address the needs of rural young people and their communities.

Institutions and organisations involve in youth development should operate in a transparent and accountable manner, whilst ensuring they are accessible to young women and men.

These principles and values lay the foundation on which the vision, goals, objectives and strategies of the National Youth Policy have been formulated. They provide a basis for youth development and youth participation across the country.

Over the last twenty years the lives of all young women and men have been influenced by the conditions and dynamics of apartheid. Many young men and women suffered as a result of the denial of basic human rights, sustainable only through the use of violence and force. Apartheid generated a form of continued structural violence toward young people through poverty, inferior education and the denial of basic services.

Today young women and men still struggle with the legacy of apartheid. To obtain a good education, maintain physical, mental and spiritual well-being, access health services, and pursue meaningful employment remains a fundamental and constant struggle. Young people are still seen as a threat to society and its values, but they are themselves threatened.

The National Youth Policy envisages a future for all young women and men in South Africa which is free from racial and gender discrimination in promoting a democratic, united, peaceful and prosperous society where young women and men can enjoy a full and abundant life enabling them to become active participants in activities which fulfil their potential, hopes, dreams and ambitions and are able to participate fully in economic, social, cultural and spiritual life.

The goals of the National Youth Policy strive to:

In addressing the goals of the National Youth Policy, the following objectives will be pursued. These are outlined according to the specific goal they address.

Objectives: This goal shall be met through the following objectives:

A.1 To promote an awareness of the content of the Constitution amongst young men and women, along with a knowledge of their rights and responsibilities.

A.2 To promote an awareness and understanding of the historical and cultural heritage of South Africa.

A.3 To encourage young women and men to promote national unity by upholding the principles of non-racism, non-sexism and democracy.

Objectives: This goal shall be met through the following objectives:

B.1 To involve young women and men at the planning, decision making and implementation levels of all youth and development programmes.

B.2 To assist young men and women in attaining the knowledge, skills and experiences required to enable them to effectively participate in national development and society as a whole.

B.3 To mobilise and support young women and men in community, provincial and national development efforts through programmes which promote leadership, practical skills and opportunities for participation.

B.4 To address the specific social, economic, and health problems faced by young people which inhibit their capacity to participate in society.

Objectives: This goal shall be met through the following objectives:

C.1 To design and implement programmes and services which promote opportunities for voluntarism amongst young men and women.

C.2 To foster creativity and innovation amongst young women and men which promotes initiative and independence, instead of dependency and entitlement.

C.3 To facilitate access to resources for development projects and activities by youth development organisations.

Objectives: This goal shall be met through the following objectives:

D.1 To build the capacity of youth development organisations and any other departments or institutions involved with youth affairs to effectively design, implement, manage and monitor youth development programmes and services.

D.2 To enhance and develop professional skills, standards, competencies and behaviours amongst workers with young men and women.

D.3 To identify and respond to current gaps in the body of knowledge concerning young men and women through the design of a comprehensive, gender-disaggregated, strategy for research into the needs and challenges facing young people.

D.4 To strengthen mechanisms for collaboration and cooperation amongst relevant government, non-government and community stakeholders.

D.5 To ensure adequate resources are directed towards youth development programmes and promote financial accountability and sustainability.

D.6 To promote the harmonisation of other policies, research, programmes and strategies oriented toward young men and women.

Objectives: This goal shall be met through the following objectives:

E.1 To promote and safeguard the rights of young men and women and the responsibilities that the broader community has toward its young people.

E.2 To promote the principles of citizenship, participation and well-being amongst young women and men.

E.3 To ensure that young people have access to adequate and appropriate programmes and services regardless of their geographic location, race, gender, level of disability and social, religious and economic circumstances.

 

The National Youth Policy recognises the rights ascribed to all citizens within the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa, enshrining the rights of all people in the country and affirming the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. These are rights many South Africans, and young South Africans in particular, have struggled for.

Young men and women benefit from these rights along with citizens of all ages. The National Youth Policy recognises the importance of youth and the right of all young men and women to enjoy their youthfulness. Irrespective of their socio-economic status and gender all young people shall have the right to:

• participation in policy formulation, decision making, leadership and national development;
• freedom of lawful expression;
• protection from all forms of abuse, coercion, violence, exploitation and degradation;
• access to all benefits of citizenship such as education (including opportunities for life-long learning), training, employment, housing, legal services, health care, and recreation; and
• a secure future through policies and practices ensuring sustainable development.

Whilst benefiting from their rights, young men and women are required to meet the following responsibilities:

• to promote peace, security and development;
• promote human dignity and respect for adults and fellow young people, sound family and community values (recognising variations in family structures) and community well-being;
• to respect public property and the property of others;
• to ensure a society free from violence, coercion, crime, degradation, exploitation and intimidation;
• to promote and advance gender equality;
• to promote physical and mental well-being, including the issues of reproductive health;
• to acquire skills which increase their capacity to serve their country;
• to promote a work ethic and life-long learning;
• to serve as ambassadors for regional and global development;
• to promote tolerance and respect (e.g. cultural, political and religious tolerance);
• to promote positive lifestyles and behaviours by young women and men;
• to promote reconciliation;
• to serve their country (e.g. through national service, community and voluntary efforts);
• to protect and preserve the environment;
• to promote respect and understanding amongst young men and women of the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and other laws of the country.

Over the last twenty years, South African society has witnessed a transformation in the roles and responsibilities of parents toward their children. Where apartheid policies and racially-based employment opportunities often divided families, political struggle and activism created a situation where young men and women acted separately from their parents. The freedoms and opportunities provided to all citizens in South Africa today allow families and parents to re-establish a nurturing and safe environment for their families. Within this context, the rights and opportunities of the broader community combine with important responsibilities toward young women and men which must be recognised and fulfilled by all parents and adults. This includes the responsibilities:

• to support the psychological, emotional and physical well-being of young men and women;
• to act as positive role models to young women and men;
• to encourage participation by young men and women in community life and development;
• to allow young women and men to develop responsibility for themselves;
• to support the development of young men and women;
• to assist young people in reaching their goals and full potential;
• to promote the development and sustenance of family values;
• to be sensitive to the needs and difficulties of young women and men; and
• to respect and accept the contribution (e.g. talents, resources, ideas) of young men and women to society today, and not just in the future.

Finally, it is recognised that many young women and men are themselves parents. Thus, good parenting and the fulfilment of parental responsibilities is also a youth development issue.

The National Youth Policy is the basis for developing opportunities for all young women and men in South Africa. However, certain priority target groups have been identified for specific attention due to the specific difficulties they face.

The policies and programmes of apartheid were designed in such a way that the youth of South Africa were divided along racial and gender lines. Whilst many young white men and women benefited by the system of apartheid their black peers were marginalised and disadvantaged. Thus, the National Youth Policy seeks to address the imbalances imposed by apartheid by specifically targeting those young women and men who have been historically disadvantaged whilst simultaneously promoting reconciliation and nation building.

The identification of target groups reflects the major needs of certain categories of young men and women. These groups shall be given particular prominence within specific sectoral strategies of the National Youth Policy (see Chapter 8), but may also deserve particular attention by Government departments and youth development agencies. Whilst the identification of these groups does not necessary imply the need for additional resources, it does promote the requirement for government and non-government agencies to focus their efforts more directly and intensively on these groups of vulnerable young people.

Young women face particular difficulties in our society today. More young women experience levels of unemployment more frequently than their young male counter-parts and tend to have fewer occupational opportunities. The high number of teenage pregnancies also suggest that young women require specific support measures in this regard. In addition, it must be recognised that young women are often the victims of male violence and abuse creating a situation where young women often feel threatened and powerless.

Whilst the broader issues of gender and socialisation are recognised by the National Youth Policy as critical influences which are entrenched in South African society, social change toward a more equal society which respects human rights is essential. In addition, however, it is important that specific programmes for young women are established which allow them to redress the imbalances which have limited their role in society and placed them at a greater degree of risk and disadvantage than their male counterparts.

The experience of unemployment can bring with it a number of other social ills, including participation in crime, drug and alcohol abuse, poor health and the loss of confidence to participate in broader society. Unemployed young people require the attention of government and non-government agencies to deal with the wide range of concerns and problems they can experience.

Young people, in particular young black women and young black men, experience unemployment at levels which are greater than the broader population. Specific measures should be developed to help these young people deal with the circumstances of unemployment. In addition, young unemployed women and men should be provided with access to services and support programmes, and opportunities for further education and training. Addressing unemployment is not simply a welfare measure. It should be recognised as an important instrument of labour market reform and part of broader efforts to increase productivity and the country's human resource base.

Those school-aged young people who are not attending school are of great concern. Apart from missing proper education, these people can be at risk in many other ways. They may be in danger of becoming “street kids” or homeless if not provided with appropriate support and encouragement to continue their education. They may also become victims or perpetrators of crimes; may suffer great risks to their health; or may undertake high risk activities, such as the abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Young women and men in rural areas are often more disadvantaged than those who live in urban settings. They have less access to services and facilities and the opportunities for employment are far less than in urban areas. The migration from rural areas to urban centres can be largely attributed to the under-development of rural areas and the lack of opportunities. Thus, the development of rural areas is an important strategy to lessen the migration of rural young people to the cities.

When developing programmes and strategies for young women and men it is important to ensure an urban-bias does not occur. Programmes and services which address the needs of young women and men in rural areas require concerted and deliberate strategies to reach this target group.

The National Youth Policy recognises there are a number of factors which can place young men and women at risk. This may include the fragmentation of supportive communities, the legacy of apartheid policies and practices, the upheavals of political struggle and the process of urban migration. Young people can also participate in high risk activities, such as alcohol and substance abuse, unsafe sex or participation in criminal activities. Young victims of crime who can be traumatised by their experience can also require specific support services.

It is recognised that there are many factors which can lead a young person into crime and violence. Where there is a need for preventative action in these areas, there is also a need to assist those young people who are already engaged in criminal behaviour. This can include the provision of specific youth-oriented correctional facilities and the development of counselling and support services.

Young women and men with a disability require specific strategies of support and assistance to ensure that they have adequate access and opportunity to participate fully in society. This will require measures to be taken within schools, the work place, and the broader community. Deaf youth are specifically recognised as a linguistic and cultural minority with particular needs. Deaf youth require the provision of South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters and access to appropriate technological devices.

The National Youth Policy adopts a developmental approach to disability, where human rights, participation and inclusiveness are promoted. The value of difference is acknowledged as well as the need to overcome barriers (i.e. physical, emotional, mental barriers) to youth participation. The policy promotes greater awareness of the issues faced by young women and men with a disability, the removal of disabling attitudes, the creation of accessible environments and the empowerment of young people with disabilities and their representative organisations.

Young women who live and work on the streets are a particularly vulnerable group in society today. Whilst there is very little accurate information on the numbers of these people, or the factors which have lead them to this situation, it is clear that this group of young men and women are in need of particular support.

HIV/AIDS has affected young women and men more directly than any other age cohort. As the number of young men and women who are diagnosed as HIV Positive increases, there is a need to ensure the particular challenges and problems these people face are addressed. These can include access to appropriate health services, education, dealing with fear and discrimination as a result of their HIV status, and building support networks and services.