Issued by: Office of the Deputy President
Noting a recent City Press report regarding the National Youth Commission (NYC) and, in particular, its relationship with the Office of the Deputy President, I wish to place the following clearly on record:
1. I categorically state that I have at no stage been angered by the alleged leadership style of the NYC chairperson Ms Mahlengi Bhengu. On the contrary, I have consistently indicated my support for the NYC and the significant strides it has made in producing South Africa's first National Youth Policy proposal;
2. That NYC Chief Executive Officer Mr Steve Mokoena did not discuss his resignation with either the Office of the Deputy President or myself as implied in the City Press article;
3. The City Press journalist concerned made no attempt at all to contact my office to establish the validity of allegations made by faceless "senior staffers" or the truth of my healthy working relationship with the NYC and that
4. It is really about time that journalists stop hiding behind unsubstantiated anonymous sources to write what they wish, which, in this case tells us more about the integrity of the journalist that it does of the people he is writing about.
Issued by: Deputy Minister Essop Pahad Office of the Deputy President
Date: 20 January 1998
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