Address by the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Mr Buti Manamela, at the launch of the Youth Development Institute of South Africa University of Johannesburg
Programme Director – Ms Seithathi Bolipombo Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg – Prof. Ihron Rensburg Deputy Vice Chancellor – Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala Chairperson of the Board of the Youth Development Institute – Dr Linda Mtwisha CEO of the NYDA – Mr Khathu Ramukumba Managing Director of the Youth Development Institute – Mr Tsholofelo Koopedi Distinguished guests Ladies and Gentlemen
The French novelist and poet, Victor Hugo, reminded us that no-one can resist an idea whose time has come. Indeed today we are here to launch the Youth Development Institute of South Africa – an idea whose time has come.
I have been an activist in the youth sector for many, many years. And by the way, I am still an activist. In my years of interaction with fellow activists, policy makers, youth workers and young people themselves, we have always complained about the dearth of timely and cutting edge youth development research and information. We have lamented the lack of research based evidence to inform and drive youth development programmes and policy making.
Research on youth development and youth issues have been sporadic, uneven and many a time outdated. Youth development research has regularly been issue based. Whilst this research has assisted with informing a specific issue, its lack of a multi-disciplinary approach has failed to answer key questions relating to the issues and challenges that young people face. This lack of a multi-disciplinary approach has resulted in poor and fragmented information for youth policy and programme development.
Where youth research has been produced, its value has been frequently challenged by activists and youth workers bemoaning its relevancy and being out of touch with what is happening at the local level. Too much ivory tower theorising and not enough praxis. The gap between youth research, youth activism and youth work practice is wide and results in missed opportunities for catalytic partnerships that can inform a progressive youth agenda at policy and programme levels.
We have relied too much on youth research generated by the global north and allowed our own research agenda to be disproportionately influenced. Youth research and research agenda’s from the global north has failed to take into consideration the nuances and diversity of South African youth.
Upon appointment by President Jacob Zuma, the NYDA Board in its first planning session identified the need for a youth institute that would drive research. An institute that would develop evidence based youth policies and programmes. An institute that would be a hub for young researchers. An institute that would be a central point of reference for all youth research related matters. An institute that would collaborate with youth activists and youth workers to advance the youth development agenda at a research, policy and programme development level. An institute that would strategically set the research agenda for youth development rather than respond to it. An institute that would be world class. An institute that would critically contribute to the youth research agenda of the African continent and global south.
I believe that we are here today to launch such an institute – our very own Institute for Youth Development in South Africa. I want to commend the NYDA board for its foresight and progressive thinking.
The NYDA has found a responsive and enthusiastic partner in the University of Johannesburg for the hosting of this important institute. Although UJ will be hosting the institute, a collaborative model with other institutions of higher learning should be adopted. This collaborative model must draw upon the residual expertise found across the South African higher education sector to bring innovation, capacity and to leverage resources. The youth research agenda and the needs of the youth sector are simply too enormous and varied and therefore collaboration is needed to effectively address these needs.
From the presentation made by the Managing Director of the institute, it is clear that the institute is going to respond to the concerns raised by many stakeholders within the youth sector. Its research agenda and outputs; its research repository and portal; its entrepreneurial ventures; its policy insights and its strategic partnerships will contribute immensely to this key sector that we all have an interest in. In so many ways, the institute will be venturing into unchartered territory.
It will deliver on the numerous things that the youth sector has talked about for so many years if not decades. It will be a trailblazer for our country.
On Monday, I delivered the keynote address and opened the 2nd Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work. The South African government hosted this conference together with the Commonwealth Secretariat and UNISA. Youth Workers are essential in contributing to the development of our youth. Youth Work is seen as a catalyst in youth development, guided by the realities facing young people and anchored in the belief that young people are a force for peace, democracy, equality, good governance and poverty eradication. This work cannot take place without effective youth development policy, programmatic initiatives, youth development research, and effective Youth Workers.
Youth workers from South Africa and other Commonwealth member states have advocated for more academic offerings to train youth workers and to professionalise youth work.
I believe that this institute can respond to this need by developing these academic programmes that effectively responds to youth work and propels it forward in its journey towards professionalisation.
When we launched the National Youth Policy 2020 we made a pointed call to the private sector to support youth development, recognising the unique position that they play in our society. The Institute for Youth Development in South Africa provides a good opportunity for partnerships with the private sector to strengthen youth policy and programme development. Once again, we invite the private sector to join us in this good initiative.
Whilst the NYDA and the University of Johannesburg are the founding partners for this institute, the vision and intention has always been for strong civil society involvement. Civil society regularly advances perspectives on youth development that is often missed by government and academia.
Their involvement is vital for this institute to deliver on its mandate and for good governance. It is for this reason that the Board of the institute includes three members drawn from civil society.
The Presidency, through the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, will follow the work of the institute with keen interest. Through our oversight role of the NYDA, we expect to receive regular progress reports on the work of the institute. With its mandate of planning, monitoring and evaluation, the department will also direct engage with the institute on various matters in relation to youth policy.
On behalf of government, we wish the Institute for Youth Development in South Africa much success. Indeed it is an idea whose time has come.
I thank you.
