Speaking Notes of the Executive Deputy of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Ms Bavelile Hlongwa at the occasion of the official launch of the NYDA Newcastle Full Service Branch, at Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Province; 22 October 2018
District Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality, Cllr Dr. Ngubane
Executive Mayor of Newcastle Municipality, Cllr Adv. E.M Nkosi
Board Members of the NYDA,
Speaker of the Municipality,
Executive Directors,
Municipal Manager,
Young people of Newcastle,
It gives me great joy to give salutations on behalf of the NYDA. I am delighted to be part of this august event, beginning a new era in youth development trajectory within the District.
We meet a day after centenary celebrations in honour of Mama Albertina Sisulu. Speaking at the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Mama Sisulu’s birthday, Minister Jeff Radebe said, “Women of fortitude, taking cue from Mama Sisulu’s lived experience, are women who do not despair at the face of enormous challenges. Imbokodo are women who marched to the Union Building in 1956 at the face of apartheid brutal repression. Women of fortitude, Imbokodo, are women who must fearlessly fight for the radical socio-economic transformation of our country.”
“Through the prism of Mama Sisulu’s lived experience, women of fortitude must see solutions on the various challenges facing our people and very importantly provide leadership towards their resolution. We must urge all our people not just to amplify the challenges we face but equally the solutions that must be taken by all and sundry to make South Africa a better country than it was in 1994.”
Mama Sisulu’s spirit continues to guide young women of our times to stand up against the continuing abuse and violence. Majority of young people have in the previous weeks rallied behind the young Cheryl Zondi. It is commendable that through various forms the overarching message became #IBelieverHer. Though a lot of us agree that the law must take its course, we are in tandem that abuse, rape and crime against women and children have reached intolerable state, wherein young women are even target at institutions of higher learning. It cannot be business as usual, as President Cyril Ramaphosa says, “voices of women must be heard”
Programme Director we urge all young women to make use of the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs). These centres are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to build a case ready for successful prosecution.
Honourable Mayor, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has through various activities across South Africa reached young people and left a lasting impact on their future. Today is no different as we continue spreading a message of hope and encourage young people to take advantage of all the opportunities brought by the democratic government. Since the establishment of the NYDA, it has received a lot of criticism on its accessibility to young people in the so-called marginalized parts of our country. In this context, a lot of work has been done only at urban areas and minimal achievement in rural areas.
It gives me great pleasure to highlight that the NYDA Board of Directors alongside its Chief Executive Officer presented its annual report for the 2017/2018 financial year in parliament. We have successfully delivered yet another Clean Audit outcome as declared by the Audit General of South Africa. A testimonial that the NYDA leadership is able to spend its budget allocation correctly focusing on implementing its mandate. It is also evidence that young people given an opportunity to occupy position of responsibility and accountability within the public and private sector can deliver, placing youth development at the centre of our country’s developmental agenda.
The Board has not only achieved its oversight role, but has managed to achieve its new strategic focus, which includes but is not limited to amongst others; establishing more full service branches and service centres across the country. To us expanding the NYDA’s footprint means giving much awaited hand up to young people in the quest of becoming entrepreneurs and increasing a cohort of young people who want to become job creators as opposed to job seekers.
The official launch and opening of the Newcastle Full Service Branch brings with itself opportunities for the youth to benefit from the products and services of the NYDA. More importantly, it signifies how youth development remains a responsibility of everyone. I must, on behalf of the Agency take this opportunity to send our message of gratitude to the Newcastle Local Municipality.
We are confident that as we open this branch, young people will have access to opportunities to change their live for the better. Our partnership with the National Student Financial Scheme (NSFAS) will be able to reach matriculants as they sit final examinations. Young people of the district are now closer to access our Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Scholarship Fund opening soon.
Without a shadow of doubt, the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings along a great threat on the future of work. An important conversation should earnestly begin on the readiness of government and private sector to provide and sustain employment for the majority of the people in general and young people in particular. Opening the full service branch, we are also opening access to unlimited Wi-Fi to young people for the future of our youth lies in the use of internet and ability to use it for innovation.
The current debate on access to data and its exorbitant cost is of outmost importance. During the highly anticipated Presidential Jobs Summit, as the NYDA we called breaking down barriers of entry into the job market. This includes enabling broadband access through lowering data costs, as massive data costs are a hindrance for young job seekers.
We thank the Amajuba District Municipality for also being part of this launch and we hope this partnership will go a long way as we continue on the path for meaningful interventions focused on economic emancipation and empowerment. In the words of Tata Madiba “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation.They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth who care for and protect our people”.
I thank you.
