This year, 2011, South Africa commemorates the 35th anniversary of the historic 16 June 1976 student uprisings. This offers us an opportunity to take stock of and highlight what government, in partnership with youth, has done in improving the lives of young people in Gauteng.
It also offers us an opportunity to remember, commemorate and pay tribute to the heroic selfless actions of young people who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa.
It is imperative that we take stock of the progress we have recorded in achieving effective youth development in our province, and identify some of the challenges that continue to hamper our course in this regard.
The youth development challenges that our province continues to face are inherent and unique to our character as the economic hub of our country, and the entire Sub-Saharan Region. We continue to attract into our shores massive numbers of young people from other provinces and countries who migrate to our province in search of better studying and employment opportunities.
Although there are many challenges that we still face as a province, we can pride ourselves with regards to some of the great milestones we have achieved towards attaining meaningful youth development in our province. In line with this year’s theme, “Your Action for Economic Freedom in our Lifetime,” we are determined to pursue our agenda aimed at improving the conditions of our youth.
As part of youth development and empowerment program of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the National Youth Development Agency in Gauteng, we are rolling out 50 waterless car wash projects which are linked to the business hubs including township beauty parlours, internet cafe, Buy and Braai (Shisanyama). In this regard the program will be unveiled in Tsakane township of Ekurhuleni Metro on 27 June 2011.
Furthermore, in our effort to mitigate against poverty, unemployment and joblessness caused by the economic depression we are going to implement one job per needy household for 100 days program as part of the national youth service. This will be first implemented in Mogale City in a township to be identified.
We will also be rolling out the National Youth Service (NYS) programme. Through this programme, the Department of Infrastructure Development has recruited 4 000 young people for a period of 12 months to gain work experience while receiving accredited training in the fields of built environment, health, social development, agriculture, library administration and community safety.
As from the 15 June to 15 July the Gauteng Provincial Government will promote the procurement of services required with the biased towards youth owned companies. In line with this, all our departments will be required to account on the youth procurement spent by the end of July. In addition, we would like to call on all youth entrepreneurs to come forward and register with the Gauteng Shared Services as from 10 June 2011 until 30 June 2011.
In promoting the legacy of our Matriachy, MaSisulu, we will be hosting the program on social dialogue with young women in Gauteng. This will help in foregrounding the issues and values that our struggle stalwarts stood for such as social consciousness, reproductive rights, sexual orientation, access to economic opportunities as well as partnership with the private sector on coaching and mentorship.
Enquiries:
Sipho Mokoena
Cell: 082 566 0515
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Premier Nomvula Mokonyane on the launch of the Gauteng Youth Month programme
Province
