(NYS) volunteers programme
4 December 2006
The National Youth Commission (NYC) will facilitate the mobilisation of 9
000 young South Africans to register into the National Youth Service volunteer
programme during the months of December 2006 and January 2007. Other volunteer
activities will continue through March 2007.
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka gave the mandate to the NYC during
the media launch of the campaign at the Union Buildings today, 4 December 2006.
The announcement of this youth service volunteer campaign comes on the eve of
the International Volunteers Day, 5 December 2006.
Through this campaign, the NYC will engage youth formations and young people
in general in activities that seek to develop and benefit their communities.
The rollout of this campaign is part of the massification of the NYS as
articulated in the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
(AsgiSA).
Various government departments have committed to work with the NYC,
Provincial Youth Commissions, the National Youth Service Unit, Umsobomvu Youth
Fund, youth organisations, municipalities to deploy registered youth into the
existing government projects. Some of the departments who have already made
firm commitments include the Departments of Transport, Agriculture,
Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Provincial and Local
Government, Arts and Culture, and Health.
The following are some of the commitments made by government
departments:
* The Department of Transport will engage 1 000 young people as Road Safety
Ambassadors as part of Arrive Alive efforts during this festive season.
* The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) will engage
about 1 350 young people in marine and coastal management related services
along the coastline areas, including community clean-up activities.
* The Department of Agriculture will engage 1 000 young people and avail
"Food Starter Packs" in establishing community food gardens as part of the
department's Letsema campaign.
* The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) will also engage young people in
activities that educate and create awareness about our national symbols.
* The Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) in partnership
Tshwane Metro, will engage 1 000 young volunteers to provide various essential
services in Multi-Purpose Community Centres (MPCCs).
* Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) will engage young people in
various sporting code activities through their "Siyadlala Mass Participation
Programme".
* The Department of Health will engage volunteers in HIV and AIDS awareness
and health promotion activities.
The campaign will respond to the basic principles of the National Youth
Service programme as endorsed by the youth of South Africa. Such principles
include service, structured learning and exit opportunities. The set target is
in line with the recommendations of the youth sector into the Accelerated and
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) on the massification of the
NYS.
All the activities will be conducted under the theme "Proud to Serve".
The communities will be the primary beneficiaries of the campaign as they
will be the recipients of the voluntary services rendered by the 9 000 young
volunteers. Communities will have access to food through community gardens,
live in safer communities, utilise rehabilitated and accessible community
centres, be staying in cleaner environments.
Participating youth will receive induction, orientation and training to
enable them to render quality service. The knowledge will equip them with both
entrepreneurial and employment skills for sustainable livelihoods.
The campaign will be closely monitored by the NYC through various networks
which include Provincial Youth Commissions, youth organisations and benefiting
communities to ensure that the intended results are achieved.
A Reflection and Evaluation tool will be developed to closely record the
services provided to communities to determine if these are really making a
positive impact on the lives of the people.
In launching the NYS Volunteer Campaign, the Deputy President made a clarion
call to all South Africans to take action in supporting the activities of this
campaign.
The Department of Provincial and Local Government and Government
Communications (GCIS) have committed to avail their infrastructure in
municipalities and Multi-Purpose Community Centres for registration of the
participants. The NYC Youthline will also be open during the festive season to
provide all the necessary information on the campaign and other points where
registration forms are available. Young people may call the Youth line on 0800
000 001.
Enquries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Monde Mkalipi
Cell: 082 575 3976
Lebogang Manganye
Cell: 084 510 4658
Issued by: National Youth Commission
4 December 2006
