The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the University Of Johannesburg (UJ) will be launching the Youth Development Institute of South Africa (YDISA) on 10 March 2016, 09h00 at the STH Building, on the University’s Bunting Road Campus, Auckland Park. YDISA follows the partnership entered into by the NYDA and UJ to register mea Non Profit Company focusing on research and knowledge management aimed at improving youth development.
“For anyone interested in issues of youth development, the launch of the Youth Development Institute of South Africa should be a cause for celebration,” says Dr Linda Mtwisha, Chairperson UJ-NYDA Institute Board and Senior Director: Strategic Initiatives and Administration, Research & Innovation Division at UJ. “What the Institute seeks to do is provide research based solution and proposals to challenges facing the youth. This will be done in partnership with other institutions working in the field of youth development.”
Amongst key performance areas of the NYDA is Policy and Research to develop a body of knowledge and best practice in the youth development sector. According to NYDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Khathu Ramukumba: “It is the mandate of the NYDA to ensure that such partnership exists. We must partner and assist organs of state, the private sector, non-governmental organisation and community based organisations to promote the youth development approach.”
The Institute will provide research and programmes for youth empowerment in South Africa. Its main objectives includes amongst others to conduct youth development research, to develop youth development programmes and projects, develop youth models for the youth sector, lobby and advocate for the youth sector, etc.
According to Mr Tsholofelo Koopedi, appointed Managing Director of the soon to be launched Institute, the contribution is not only aimed at the public sector. “As a result we will also assist Corporate South Africa, through relevant and credible research outcome, to distribute their funds in a more meaningful and impactful way that will advance and mainstream youth development.”
About the Youth Development Institute of South Africa (YDISA):
The Youth Development Institute of South Africa is a collaborative partnership between the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), aimed to encourage youth to empower themselves with entrepreneurial skills.
The Institute will officially be launched as the Youth Development Institute of South Africa (YDISA) on Thursday, 10 March 2016 at the University of Johannesburg.
For media enquiries contact:
Mr Lerato Gambu
Tel: 011 651 7000
Cell: 071 8972998
E-mail: Lerato.Gambu@nyda.gov.za
Ms Unathi Twala
Tel: 011 559 6619
Cell: 078 093 9420
E-mail: unathit@uj.ac.za
