Programme director
Representatives of Media Houses present here and outside Pretoria
Fellow South Africans
Inspired by generations and episodes of youth involvement in the struggle for freedom in South Africa, guided by our resolve to put youth development at the centre of Nation building and working for better life for all in the country, the Continent and the World, we as a country, the people and the Government of South Africa continue in our firm belief that working together as the young and old of all races, class and gender, we can do more.
We set a tone of what would become our programme of action in promoting a youth development agenda when we launched the Reconstruction and Development Programme, when we said:
“Youth development more generally must focus on education and training, job creation and enabling young people to realise their full potential and participate fully in the society and their future. It must restore the hope of our youth in the future and in their capacity to channel their resourcefulness and energy into reconstruction and development.”
In continuing to further implement our programmer for youth development, we passed a law that facilitated for the establishment of the National Youth Development Agency, and which makes provision for “Recognising the heroic struggles of generations of the youth to bring about freedom and Democracy in South Africa and since youth development is central in the reconstruction and development of South Africa, and whereas the government must take reasonable measures, within its available resources, to achieve progressive development of South Africa’s youth, and whereas the interventions on youth development must be implemented in a cohesive, seamless and integrated manner, therefore the spirit of the National Youth Development Agency must give resonance to youth development in South Africa”.
Today we are here to launch the Youth Month Programme and the National Youth Development Agency will play a critical role at the centre of the launch and the role out of the programme.
It is a very important day with its significance recognised the world over and this day is the beginning of the youth month celebrated in different ways by different countries and formations. In this month we will celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Soweto uprising. June is South Africa’s Youth Month.
The African Union has declared the years 2009 up to 2019 as a decade for youth development in the Continent. The United Nations has proclaimed 2010 the International year of the youth.
It is also important to note that we are proudly celebrating the first anniversary of the National Youth Development Agency, which was launched in June last year, following the merger of the National Youth Commission and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund.
Of course, South Africa is already feeling the pride of hosting the soccer World tournament, with the kick-off in ten days from today. The NYDA has in partnership with the Local Organising Committee facilitated registration and training of 15 000 volunteers to participate in the event. We are impressed to learn that the NYDA is participating in roadshows, particularly targeting rural areas to mobilise the youth to rally behind Bafana Bafana.
We expect young people to lead from the front by feeling the stadia, volunteering to receive guests and give them a true Ubuntu South African hospitality. Allow me to conclude so that the Chairperson and the CEO of the NYDA may give more information about the agency.
As government, we remain committed to play our role in support of the National Youth Development Agency and the Youth Month Programme.
Thank you very much.
Issued by: The Presidency
1 June 2010
