Speaking notes for the Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni at the occasion of the official Youth Month launch at the Hector Pieterson Museum, Soweto
Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Chairperson of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa
Premier of Gauteng, Mr David Makhura
Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa
NYDA Board Members
Representative of the June 16th Foundation, Mr Oupa Moloto
Representative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation,
Representative of the Sisulu Foundation,
Ward Councillor, Mr Themba Msibi
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen;
Future of South Africa, young people
Celebrations of the Youth Month 2018 are in session!
But to us the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the immense contribution by South Africa’s young people cannot be explained in one occasion. This is because HER children played a significant role in the realisation of her freedom and democracy. Others losing their lives under the brutal apartheid regime. As we take time to remember Tsietsi Mashini, Kgotso Seatlhalo, Hector Pieterson and many other souls of young people lost in the struggle for liberation, we are reminded of the sad passing of the radical and militant roaring Lion of the North, Peter Mokaba on 9 June 2002.
A fearless figure of our body politic, still resonating with a lot of young people to date. At his funeral service, former and late President Nelson Mandela characterised Peter Mokaba as “fiery and militant, expressing the energy and impatience of youth”. A character synonymous with all young people to date.
We will in honor of Peter Mokaba visit his graveside on the 08th of June 2018. At that occasion we will send a message of gratitude on behalf of young people of South Africa, and commit just like him to being conduits to socio-economic empowerment of all youth. Like him as Ben Okri correctly says “We do not want to be remembered, or praised. We only want to increase the light, and to spread illumination”.
Mainstreaming youth development across all sectors of society is our core agenda. Our call for 40% representation of young people in both government and private sector remains a necessary goal. Through lobby and advocacy, we shall lobby that the requirement of experience on all entry level vacancies be scrapped and legislated as such by government.
It is an undisputable fact! That young people gave necessary impetus to the struggle for liberation in South Africa. The Students’ Uprising of 1976 in Soweto, redefined the liberation trajectory and amongst most notable events which brought apartheid to its knees.
This year’s commemoration of Youth Month is themed “Live the Legacy: Towards A Socio-Economically Empowered Youth”. A theme inspired by centenary celebrations of both Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. An important clarion call encouraging volunteerism amongst young people towards social cohesion and nation building. It is a theme in line with the National Youth Policy (2020) declaration that young people deserve a “HAND-UP, NOT HAND A OUT!
At the centre of celebrations is a call made by the NYDA, that of fostering entrepreneurship amongst the youth in response to the daunting challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Youth unemployment is a direct attack and a threat to our democracy. This is because when young people idle outside employment, education nor training; they become prey to violence and crime painting a bleak future for South Africa.
Programme Director, the NYDA has declared 2018 as the year against youth unemployment. A year that will see a lot young people benefit from the products and services of the NYDA. Today, we have showcased a few beneficiaries of our programmes and will use this month to show more success stories. This is because our preoccupation is shifting of the mind-set. We are driving an onslaught against the idea by young people to become job–seekers. We need more job-creators. To this end, we have increase our grant funding.
The NYDA Board is moving mountains to ensure access to NYDA for all young people. Thus this month will see the opening of service centres and full service branches across the country. Our offices are Wi-Fi hotspots enabling young people access to information. Introduction of the NYDA Mobile App has resulted in the NYDA being a finger-tip away. Mobile offices will enable us to reach far-flung areas, especially the marginalised and rural.
Calendar of Events
06 June 2018 : The NYDA Executive Chairperson will join Premier of Limpopo Province, Mr Chupu Stanley Mathabatha during the Provincial launch of Youth Month at Mohlonong Stadium , Mashashane Village.
06 until 08 June 2018: All NYDA Board members will be attending will the Roadshow in Limpopo Province. The aim of the road show is to showcase beneficiaries of the NYDA and create awareness on products and services of the NYDA. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee will be part be the beneficiary site visits to be conducted.
A dialogue session will take place at Ramokgopa TVET College to celebrate the centenary of Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu under theme #BeTheLegacy!
09 June 2018: The NYDA join the Gauteng Provincial Government for the Gauteng Opportunities Expo, wherein exhibition by various role players will take place. Giving young people necessary information on the opportunities that exist towards a socio-economically empowered youth.
As per the invitation of the Mashinini Family, the NYDA Board Chairperson will give remarks at the 3rd Tsietsi Mashinini Memorial Lecture at Morris Isaacson Secondary School. We would recall that the NYDA Head Office is officially named the Tsietsi Mashini House. Our National Youth Service Programme remains the best way to encourage volunteerism amongst young people.
12 June 2018: The NYDA will launch NYDA Branch and unveil a media partnership Nelspruit, Mpumalanga province.
16 June 2018: Youth Day: His Excellency, President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa will address the youth of South Africa, at Orlando Stadium Soweto.
26 & 27 June 2018: The NYDA will officially open two (2) branches in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, Newscastle Full Service Branch and Richardsbay Full Service Branch respectively.
In addition to the above the following NYDA full service and service centres will be opened:
Groblersdal (Service Centre), Tzaneen (Service Centre), George (Service Centre), Upington (Service Centre), Umtata (Service Centre), Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani Region, Mogale City, Sedibeng, Xhariep and Welkom.
29 June 2018: The NYDA will in partnership with the Youth Development Institute of South Africa (YDISA) launch the status of Youth Report at the University of Johannesburg.
We invite members South Africans in general, and young people in particular to visit our website www.nyda.gov.za for a detailed programme with dates, times and venues. Young people can also follow us on our social media platforms @NYDARSA (twitter), National Youth Development Agency (Facebook), nyda_insta (Instagram)or contacts us on our toll free line 0800 52 52 52.
In conclusion, I wish to invite all South Africans to participate and nominate young South Africans who continue to register extraordinary success in various endeavours. These young people can be in various disciplines be it academia, entrepreneurship, science, technology and innovation; leadership development, or and design thinking. Out of the entire 24 young people will join His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa during Youth Day, and they will be showcased, celebrated and profiled with the aim of inspiring other young people to become achievers against all odds.
To nominate Trailblazers, as part of the #100Trailblazers for 2018 , emails can be sent to trailblazers@nyda.gov.za.
In the words of former General Secretary of the UN, Kofi Annan “To live is to choose. But to choose well you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to go there”!
Youth Month is in session!
Nda Khensa!
