celebrations
28 June 2007
The North West Provincial Legislature concludes its Youth Month celebrations
on a high with its 3rd Annual Youth Parliament. The Legislature Youth Month
Programme commenced with province-wide workshops running from 29 May to 1 June
2007, followed by a Parents' Indaba which was held on 14 June. These were
followed by the Provincial Youth Parliament Workshops which selected S J
Mokoena from Wonderkop, O Y Tlape from Mmabatho, H M Nchupetsang from
Stilfontein, M C Nakin from Mooinooi, M Zweni from Khutsong South, M J
Alexander from Pomfret, P F Makhubo from Itsoseng, S N Molepo from Jonathan in
Moretele, M C Mafora from Schweizer-Reinecke, O A Makompo from Vryburg to
represent the North West at the National Youth Parliament in Cape Town.
Selected as observers were, L M Malebye from Makapanstad, C X Ndebele from
Bodibe, P B Mthimkhulu from Vryburg and M T Kegakilwe from Vryburg.
These youth represented the province admirably in Cape Town and in fact one
of the North West participants was selected to present a commission paper! He
was so outstanding that he was selected from the over 100 youth there. The aim
of the Youth Parliament has been to focus on the interests of and the issues
facing the youth of our nation. The objectives of the Youth Parliaments, both
nationally and provincially, were to debate contemporary issues facing young
South Africans including the role of constitutionally established structures.
These were also aimed at creating an opportunity for the youth to engage with
Parliament and the provincial legislatures. The idea was to encourage young
people to take part in decision-making and legislative processes, which
directly affect them and to discuss sustainable developmental opportunities in
South Africa.
The themes of the Youth Parliament are "Masijule Ngenxoxo Lutsha
LwaseMzansi" meaning, "Let's deepen the debate, Youth of South Africa" which is
the national's and "Legislative Sector Protecting the Rights of the Youth"
which is the North West Provincial Legislature's themes have truly been
actioned in the June month activities which are being concluded on the 29 June
special sitting.
Issues being discussed were skills developments challenges facing the youth
in South Africa, drug-trafficking and its impact on South African youth and
youth economic participation in the context of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Questions answered at the National Youth Parliament ranged from strategies,
interventions and mechanisms which can be introduced to address issued relating
to drug-trafficking amongst the youth through the economic opportunities
offered by 2010 Soccer world cup and how youth can maximise economic benefit
from the event to the progress made to date in developing the skills of young
people in South Africa and what the main successes have been.
Also reporting at Youth Parliament 2007 are Youth Commission, African
National Congress (ANC) Youth League, United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP)
Youth League, Democratic Alliance (DA) Youth League and Freedom Front (FF+)
Youth League. There will also be report backs from the Cape Town participants
and presentation and feedback from the national commissions and how these
affect the North West.
For enquiries, contact:
Roberta Makhambeni
Cell: 082 779 4641
E-mail: roberta@nwpl.org.za
Issued: North West Provincial Legislature
28 June 2007
