ANCYL+on+appointment+of+National+Youth+Commissioners

=ANCYL STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION=


 * 3 July 2006**

The Minister in the Presidency announced the appointment of new Commissioners to the National Youth Commission on Friday, 30 June 2006. We have noted these appointments and continue to applaud government for its commitment to the youth in general and the advancement of youth development in particular. However, much more still needs to be done before we can confidently say youth development is on a sustainable trajectory.

The last decade has been a steep learning curve and provided us with an opportunity to reflect on our particular model of youth development. In line with the overall assessment of our progress as a nation during the first decade of democracy, young people have conducted a similar assessment and have been equivocal in their evaluation and way forward. At the beginning of June 2006, the National Youth Commission brought together the most representative group of youth organisations in the country who expressed themselves on how they wish to see youth development being taken forward.

It has become abundantly clear that the fragmented manner in which we have pursued youth development is self-defeating and does nothing for sustainable youth development in the country. The collapse of the most ambitious youth development programme, the National Youth Service Programme, before it has even taken off the ground is a classic example of this parochial approach that lacks coherence and integration. Similarly, the absence of a coherent and focused youth voice within structures of government only serves to lend credence to this charade, with the Minister in the Presidency playing the role of big brother who is not prepared to listen to the voice of the youth.

Sadly, the National Youth Commission itself has been reduced to nothing more than a talk shop whose ability to make a meaningful impact on youth development is highly restricted both by its narrow mandate and the duplication of its tasks by the Ministry in the Presidency.

While we have no doubt about government's commitment to youth development, we remain concerned by the arrogant manner and obstructionist attitude displayed by the Minister in the Presidency in dealing with youth issues. His unilateral approach to the handling of youth matters undermines the collective effort and the broader vision mapped out by South Africa's youth.

The country remains without a coherent and integrated youth development strategy despite numerous interventions to steer youth development in that direction. It remains a matter of serious concern that the Ministry in the Presidency continues to advance the proliferation of youth structures supposedly to advance youth development, while in reality these compete with each other and at times a duplication of effort. The assessment of the National Youth Convention identifies this as a major obstacle and a drawback to the national youth developmental agenda.

The mainstreaming of youth participation in the overall national developmental agenda and the pursuit of a seamlessly integrated approach to youth development form the nucleus of the Integrated Youth Development Strategy adopted by the National Youth Convention. Such an approach will clearly give impetus to a renewed sense of urgency, underpinned by an integrated and sustainable institutional arrangements.

It is therefore our hope that the new Commissioners will take forward the task of putting in place this integrated youth development strategy with the vigour and energy it deserves. We hope they will fully appreciate the need to forge ahead with the integration of youth development structures as proposed by South Africa's youth in order to ensure effective interventions.

We similarly implore Cabinet to give the Integrated Youth Development Strategy document adopted by South Africa's youth, the priority it deserves during its forthcoming Lekgotla in July. Cabinet must therefore make a very clear pronouncement on where it intends to take youth development over the next decade. Young people have spoken loudly and clearly and have said that "Nothing about us without us," and therefore expect government to give meaning to that slogan. We add our voice to the millions of South Africa's youth to implore government to take a fresh look at youth development and take to heart the views and assessment done by young people themselves. It therefore remains our hope that government will address youth development with the same vigour it has put in the commendable women empowerment programmes, because we believe the two are not mutually exclusive, but rather different sides of the same coin.

Young people must be fully integrated in the country's developmental agenda, and unilateral action by Minister Pahad must stop now and he must accord our youth due respect. We must all appreciate that the National Youth Commission is not an employment agency but an institution of youth development which must be given space to execute its mandate effectively.


 * Issued by

ANC Youth League 54 Sauer Street Johannesburg 2001

More Information Zizi Kodwa 0823304910**

808 words