4 June 2006
In this year that marks the 30th anniversary of the uprisings of 16 June
1976 we continue to pledge ourselves to the creation of a society that provides
a better life for its young people and enables them to reach their full
potential.
Today we are pleased to introduce the new Gauteng Youth Commission (GYC),
which will play a key role in promoting youth development in our province and
in helping to ensure that young people take their rightful place in deepening
our democracy.
The Youth Commission was established in line with a commitment made by the
Premier to the youth of this province and is a statutory body established in
line with the Gauteng Youth Commission Act.
The Gauteng Youth Commissioners were appointed by the Premier and endorsed
by the Executive Council on Wednesday. The Gauteng Youth Commission replaces
the previous Gauteng Commission on Youth Development, an advisory body. The
decision to establish a statutory body arose from a review of the work of the
Gauteng Youth Development Commission.
The new GYC will be responsible for engaging the public on the Gauteng
Provincial Government (GPG) youth development policies as well as soliciting
the views of young people in the further development of the provincial
government's youth development strategy. They will also work with provincial
government departments in ensuring the effective implementation of the
provincial youth development strategy.
The process of determining the GYC members involved the placement of
advertisements in the media. Applicants were then interviewed by the Gauteng
Legislature's Committee on Gender, Youth and Disability. A shortlist arising
from this process was presented to the Premier, who reached a final
determination on the new GYC members. We are confident that collectively, they
represent the diversity and strength of the youth in our province.
Last year we adopted the Gauteng Youth Development Strategy which was
developed in consultation with young people in the province and which focuses
on youth development advocacy, youth labour market and employment strategies,
youth citizenship and the importance of youth-friendly government services.
They will be in a position to work with the provincial government in further
enhancing the package of measures we have introduced to improve the lives of
today's young people through among other things, the provision of quality
education, skills development and opportunities for effective participation in
the economy.
Promoting youth job creation and other economic opportunities will be a key
focus for the Gauteng Provincial Government in the year ahead. A number of
government agencies and projects will focus on job creation, the provision of
bursaries, learnerships and internships as well as other skills development and
training opportunities.
Promoting youth job creation and other economic opportunities is a key focus
of the province. By the end of 2007/08 we will ensure that 20% of the funding
for small enterprises through the Gauteng Enterprise Propellor goes to support
youth-led job creation activities.
Enquiries
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: (011) 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
4 June 2006
Source: SAPA
