NYDA wants 40% youth representation everywhere

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The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has set itself a target to see 40% youth representation in both the public and private sector.

“Young people must never be hindered by experience to get employment. And as we march forward it is our agenda to see 40% representation of youth in position of authority and responsibility, both in the public and private sector,” said the agency’s Chairperson Sfiso Mtsweni.

He was speaking at the NYDA’s Youth Month closing ceremony held in Polokwane, Limpopo. This year’s Youth Month was themed “Live the Legacy: Towards a Socio-Economically Empowered Youth”.

In addition to the 40% target, Mtsweni committed that the NYDA would track the inclusion of the youth in the public and private sector.

“A commitment that as the NYDA will follow and take to task public and private sector on a quarterly basis. We must be able through the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation understand how far every sector of society has moved in implementing policies aimed at improving the lives of young people,” he said.

During its youth month engagements, the NYDA noted concerns raised by the youth about the distance between a young person and an NYDA Office.

“Our view remains that a person should not be taken from pillar to post to access our services and any other related intervention and programmes,” said Mtsweni.

To address this, the NYDA has signed a memorandum of understanding with four district municipalities in the Eastern Cape with the aim of opening branches before the end of the 2018/2019 financial year.

“We have signed with the Alfred Nzo, Sarah Baartman, OR Tambo and Joe Gqabi District Municipality. The Department of Social Development, Department of Transport and the Department of Public Works have also indicated that they will be entering into partnership with the NYDA,” said Mtsweni.

“We call on all young men to join the South African government’s’ 100 Men March to stop violence against women and children. The march will take place on the 10th of July 2018, at Pretoria Church Square at 10am.” Mtsweni also added that the NYDA has successfully opened a full-service branch in Empangeni near Richards Bay in partnership with the Umhlathuze Municipality.

The NYDA also unveiled a brand new relocated branch at Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, and launched media partnership with Rise FM.

“In the month of July, in honour of Tata Nelson Mandela we will officially launch service centres in Tzaneen and Groblersdal. This will add access to the existing branches of NYDA in Polokwane and Thulamela,” said Mtsweni.

“This will go a long in ensuring that young people of that Province reach news and updates related to the work of the NYDA and listen to testimonies by beneficiaries of our programmes,” he said.

Youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal will also have access to the NYDA through the six newly unveiled mobile vehicles that will serve as outreach vehicle and mobile offices.