The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has noted a complaint lodged by the Freedom Front Plus with the Public Protector regarding the NYDA hosting the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students in December 2010.
The issues raised in the complaint alleging that the NYDA was not within its mandate to host the Youth Festival and a further claim that there was misappropriation of funds as a result of hosting the Youth Festival is untrue and unfounded.
The NYDA once more wishes to place it on record that hosting the Youth Festival was within its mandate of embarking on initiatives that seek to advance the socio-economic development of young people. The event was also in line with the NYDA business of initiating and implementing youth development interventions aimed at reducing youth unemployment and promoting social cohesion.
Furthermore the funds raised for the hosting of the Youth Festival were used for that purpose and nothing else. We have subsequently responded to a letter of inquiry from the Public Protector by submitting all the necessary documentation to help them undertake any inquiry.
The NYDA has submitted a report to the Minister in The Presidency detailing the activities and financial report of the Youth Festival which was declared a success both by delegates who participated as well as the South African government.
It is disappointing to note that some political parties have found convenience in discrediting the NYDA and its ongoing programmes aimed at improving the lives of young people. The NYDA views this as very unfortunate as it plays at the hearts of the millions of young people whose hopes remain largely with government and its various institutions including the NYDA. Despite these ongoing allegations, the NYDA remains on course in carrying out its mandate of promoting youth development in the country including establishing networks with youth of the world.
The Youth Festival was convened with the aim of bringing the youth of the world together to deliberate on critical issues of development and recommend viable solutions to these challenges and it achieved this objective. The youth of South Africa have a major contribution to make towards shaping the government policies locally and internationally in the interests of advancing solidarity, peace and democracy, which form the foundation for social and economic development.
As an accountable institution of government we will await the outcomes relating to the complaint lodged with the Public Protector, and we will continue with our work and programmes aimed at the overall development of all young people.
For media enquiries contact:
Siyabonga Magadla
National Youth Development Agency
Cell: 083 686 9016
