The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has noted calls by the IFP Youth Brigade and the Cope Youth Movement for the NYDA to close shop. Ordinarily the NYDA would not respond or comment to such suggestions due to their lack of base and substance. Moreover it has become clear that every emerging faction from these organisations uses the name of the NYDA to gain attention. However such calls especially when made through the media have a potential to mislead the public on the work done by the NYDA and the important role the Agency plays in coordinating and advancing youth development in the country.
“It smacks of mischief for the two to claim that an institution that has existed for just over two years has failed to improve the lives of young people. This not only has political grandstanding written all over it, but also exposes lack of understanding of the youth development by the two organisations,” says NYDA Executive Chairperson Andile Lungisa.
He says, for their benefit, it is advisable that they read various documents and research work covering the intricate challenges facing young people. “Such a useful exercise will help the IFP Youth Brigade and the Cope Youth Movement to understand that, no institution would decisively address such challenges in two years, such a suggestion would be disingenuous.” That said, the NYDA continues to play its part. In the last financial year the NYDA met 42 out of 49 key performance indicators. In more practical terms, as part of its work, the NYDA has created 18 038 jobs for young people. These jobs were created through job placements, and self-employment through funding youth businesses to start or expand their businesses. Everyday young people interact with the NYDA through its branches across provinces, to access assistance, including business funding, mentorship, career guidance and a range of other services.
“We encourage youth organisation to directly interact with the NYDA before going to media platforms with lack of facts and understanding. Our annual performance results cover the outstanding work of the NYDA and are available on our website and in the public domain for all South Africans to see,” says Lungisa. We also call on all youth organisation to demonstrate leadership by embarking on practical programmes aimed at developing young people.
For enquiries contact:
Siyabonga Magadla
National Youth Development Agency
Cell: 083 686 9016
NYDA responds to calls of disbandment
