National Youth Development Agency achieves 5th clean audit and achieves 100% annual performance targets and R0 on unauthorised and wasteful expenditure
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has achieved a fifth (5th) clean audit and 100% performance of its annual targets. The 5th clean audit outcome as declared by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) comes at a time the NYDA celebrates ten (10) years since establishment from a merger of Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission.
“Achieving the 5th successive clean audit shows continued clean governance and a high-performance culture within the agency. Our Board of Directors committed to maintain this outlook unabated ensuring that all the resources are utilised for products and services aimed at improving the lives of young people” says NYDA Executive Chairperson, Sifiso Mtsweni.
A thousand one hundred and three (1103) youth-owned enterprises were supported through the NYDA Grant Programme, which shows an increase from a set target of eight hundred and forty (840) due to additional funding received from the Jobs Fund.
Notwithstanding challenges that confront businesses in general and SMMEs in particular, we also successfully ensured that 100% of legitimate service providers’ invoices were paid within the 30 days.
Chief Executive Officer , Mr Waseem Carrim indicated that the agency has spent the entire budget allocation with 70% of the budget going directly to projects and achieved our target of R0 in wasteful and unauthorized expenditure. The NYDA notes that these governance and performance achievements are against numerous multi layered and faceted challenges that young people face, principally youth unemployment
The NYDA working together with its social partners remains committed to the Medium Term Strategic Framework Plan to achieve the following targets:
- Funding and support of 100 000 youth entrepreneurs
- 1 million more young people placed in jobs over and above the current NDP target
- 250 000 youth enrolled in National Youth Service programs.
- A single coordinating body for youth development to oversee the coordination of youth development.
Recent statistics paint a grim picture, however there remains slight encouraging signs such as the overall increase of jobs and a movement of discouraged work seekers to active work searchers.
Only through a social compact of all sectors of society can our ambitious goals be achieved. The NYDA doors remain open to any individual or institution who is committed to giving young people the hand up they crave.
“The agency continues to expand its reach across South Africa adopting a model that allows launching of district service centres and opening full-service branches. We thank members of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Executive and Senior Management staff and all employees for reaching yet another milestone," added Mtsweni.
Media enquiries:
Bongekile Skosana
Cell: 060 978 6000
Lerato Gambu - NYDA Spokesperson
Cell: 064 860 0716
