STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION

Issued by: SA Communication Service

The National Youth Commission held its inaugural meeting on July 1-2, 1996 in Pretoria. The meeting was opened by the Executive Deputy President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, who congratulated the newly appointed Commissioners and offered the Commission full support of his office and that of government as a whole.

The main motivation for the establishment of the Commission is the desire by Government to address enormous problems facing the South African Youth and to empower them to participate in the social and economic development of the country..

The National Youth Commission was established in terms of the National Youth Commission Act (No 19, of 1996).

Its main objectives are to co-ordinate and develop a national youth policy, to develop principles and guidelines and make recom- mendations on these to the Government for the implementation of an integrated National Youth Policy and, on an on-going basis, to monitor the implementation of such policy.

In pursuance of its objects, as stated in the National Youth Commission Act, the commission decided on the following:

• To begin the process of appointing the Secretary and other key administrative staff as soon as possible;
• To engage in an audit of all Youth Programmes undertaken by government at National and Provincial levels as well as non- governmental organisations;
• To influence key policy processes, affecting the youth, within government including:

Census 1996: The Commission as its main and immediate priority will seek to gather information (data) on Youth needs in respect of age categories, employment status, educational levels, etc. with the co-operation of officials responsible for the Census;

The Labour Market Commission;

Employment Equity Report;

National Commission on Higher Education

• As part of its commitment to youth driven development and to strengthen its relationship with youth organisations and the youth in general, the Commission will, among other things, convene a National Youth Summit with the aim of presenting its Programme of Action as well as to solicit views on that programme and
• The commission will maintain close links with international youth bodies. Priority will be given to strengthening relations with youth bodies from the Southern African region and the African continent.

The Commission would like to express its full support to the young men and women who will be representing our country in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. We shall be with them in spirit from the first event to the last.

The Commission also expresses its full support for the Springbok Rugby Team in their match against Fidji tonight, and also wish them well in their forth-coming triangular series between New Zealand and Australia.

Issued by: National Youth Commission Pretoria

Date: 02 July 1996

Contact persons: Ms Hlengiwe Bhengu 0825519157 Mr Otto Kunene 0825574294 Mr Thabo Masebe 0825727301