A total of 100 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds have received brand new bicycles from the National Youth Development Agency during an event held at the Jozini stadium, KwaZulu-Natal earlier today.
This is part of the "Ride to School" bicycle project aimed at improving the mobility of female learners by providing bicycles to those who walk long distances to schools on a daily basis.
This initiative by the NYDA supports the Integrated Rural Mobility and Access (IRMA) project of the Department of Transport aimed at rural transport development and to improve rural mobility and accessibility to social and economic activities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, NYDA Deputy Executive Chairperson Yershen Pillay said that through this project, the NYDA aims to improve youth access to centers of learning.
"This project is a direct result of the NYDA's efforts to intensify rural youth development with special focus on young women. Our ultimate aim is improving access to education," he said.
Pillay added that ensuring that more young people accessed education is important towards ensuring that the lives of many South Africans are improved for the better.
The learners were identified from 16 schools around Jozini; emphasis was on learners who walk more than a distance of six kilometres to and from school.
The project is in line with the rural transport strategy for South Africa that endeavours to find innovative solutions to challenges related to accessing socio-economic opportunities by communities within the ambit of environmental sustainability.
Issued by: National Youth Development Agency
11 May 2010
Source: National Youth Development Agency (http://www.nyda.gov.za/)
