Shortlisting of candidates to be interviewed for appointment to the National Youth Development Agency Board

Meeting report

 

Adoption of Agenda

Mr Maine tabled the agenda for consideration.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi moved for the motion for the adoption of the agenda and Mr J Gunda (ID; Nothern Cape) seconded the motion.

Mr Maine noted that there were sufficient Members present had formed the required quorum.

 

Consideration of Minutes dated 20 March 2012

Members drew the attention of the Co Chairpersons to the typographical errors in the minutes of the last meeting of the committee.

 

Mr J De Villers (DA; Western Cape) noted that his suggestion at the last meeting that all previous decisions and actions carried out on behalf of the Committee before its proper constitution were adopted by the Committee, was noticeably absent from the minutes of the meeting.

Ms Kubayi stressed the importance of including this in the minutes, to forestall the possibility of any previous actions of the committee being deemed illegal.

 

Mr T Mashamaite (ANC; Limpopo) moved for the adoption of the corrected minutes.

 

Mr S Makhubela (ANC) seconded this motion.

 

The minutes were then approved.

 

Short listing of Candidates

Mr Maine asked Members if five additional CV’s could be included in the pile. These were posted before the closing date but due to administrative issues were not included in the abridged CV list handed out to Members.

 

Mr Makhubela commented that these should be included for consideration by the Committee; however he stressed that those in charge of administrative matters should ensure this sort of thing was averted.

 

Mr Z Mlenzana (COPE; Eastern Cape) and Mr N Bhanga (COPE) concurred with Mr Makhubela.

 

Ms Kubayi briefed members on the provisions of the National Youth Development Agency Act (The Act) as regards issues of criteria for selection of candidates to the Board. The Board’s membership under the Act was restricted to young persons only, i.e. persons between the ages of 18 and 35. The Act also provided that Board members must reflect the geographical spread and demographic peculiarities of South Africa. Ms Kubayi suggested that members select a total of 20 candidates to invite for the Board membership’s interview.

 

Mr De Villers was of the opinion that only persons born after 1977 be invited for the interview. He also suggested that that since membership of the Board was restricted to seven persons, only 15 candidates be nominated and invited for the interviews.

 

Mr Bhanga wanted to know to what extent experience in Youth Development and academic qualifications would be considered in the selection process. He supported the selection of a total of 20 candidates to be invited for interview.

 

Ms Kubayi replied that formal education was not of utmost importance if the candidate had shown demonstrable experience and involvement in Youth Development issues.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi also added that qualification should not be restricted to certificates only but should include experience as well.

 

Mr A Nyambi (ANC Mpumalanga) also supported the selection of 20 candidates to be invited for interview. He advocated for the selection criteria being based on the provisions of the NYDA Act and the prior adverts placed in the newspapers.

 

Ms Kubayi reiterated Members decision to select and invite for interview not more than twenty and not less than fifteen candidates.

 

Mr Makhubela reminded Members of the need to ensure that Board Members selected were South African Citizens. He also suggested that candidates who were shortlisted but had not submitted full documentation be required to do so before the interview.

 

Mr Mlenzana stated that Members needed to agree on certain issues before the selection process commenced. He raised the issue of non provision of qualification documents and a copy of ID document by candidates as required by the advert, and was of the opinion that where candidates did not provide these it should lead to automatic disqualification.

 

Mr T Mashamaite (ANC Limpopo) reiterated Mr Mlenzana’s suggestion, stating that the advert was clear on the required documentation to be provided by candidates and where they had not been provided, such candidates be automatically disqualified.

Mr Maine stated that candidates who did not provide a copy of their ID document as required by the advert should be disqualified as there was no way of verifying that they were South African citizens. On the issue of qualification documents, he was of the opinion that the candidates be required to make these available before the interview date if they had been selected.

 

Mr Bhanga commented that non provision of a copy of the ID document should not be a basis to disqualify candidates as their Identity numbers could be verified from their Matric Certificates.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi countered that the required documentation had been clearly spelt out in the adverts and it should not be the business of Members to help candidates fish information out from the pile of documents submitted.

 

Members finally came to the conclusion that where an applicant had not provided a copy of his identity document as required in the advert such candidate would be immediately disqualified.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi brought to the attention of the Members the Provisions of the Act on age limit, which qualified persons between the ages of 18 and 35 as young persons. This meant that candidates who were 35 years of age as at 2012 were not to be disqualified.

 

Mr Makhubela said that although the purpose of shortlisting was to reduce the number of candidates the Committee had to consider whether candidates born in 1977 should be included in the list for consideration.

 

Mr Mlenzana said candidates born in 1977 should be put on ‘hold’ and considered after all other younger candidates had been considered.

 

Mr Bhanga stated that the provisions of the Act were clear and Members should be careful not to act outside the provisions of the Act.

 

Ms Kubayi reiterated Members position that all candidates born in 1977 would be considered in keeping with the provisions of the Act.

 

Ms Kubayi suggested to Members possible ways the Committee could arrive at the agreed 20 candidates to be invited for interview such as: Members go through the list individually and shortlist candidates, or Members nominate applicant across party lines.

 

Members were strongly opposed to the option of nominating across party lines.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi stated that the shortlisting process was meant to be a credible and not a political process and some parties were not represented in the Committee therefore nominating across party lines would sideline these parties.

 

Mr Makhubela suggested that Members be given the option to go through the CVs of candidates and make their nominations afterwards.

 

Mr Nyambi supported Mr Makhubela’s suggestion.

 

Members finally agreed to go through the CVs and make individual nominations. After this process, 23 names were identified and these included:

 

1.       Xoliswa Ayanda Bambiso

2. Marten Subramoney Govender

3. Olwethu Sipuka

4. Hlanganani Siphelele Gumbi

5. Maria Tshabalala

6. Mandla Macbeth Ncongwane

7. Thulani Thobela Tshefuta

8. Gert Johannes Petrus Nell

9. Fezile Wycliff Nondonga

10. Andile Lungisa

11. Maropene Lydia Ntuli

12. Thabiso Ephrahim Teffo

13. Itiseng Kenny Morolong

14. Yershen Pillay

15. Ezra Boithumelo Letsoalo

16. Lerato Jacobeth Thulo

17. Zandile Majozi

18. Mcebo Rich Khumalo

19. Nyalleng Potloane

20. Paul Rawule Nkosi

21. Mothupi Phaladi Modiba

22. Vuyokazi Malafu

23. Ngoako Abel Rangata

 

Members were sharply divided when discussing the merits of Ezra Boithumelo Letsoalo and a few other shortlisted candidates who already held senior positions within various National Departments.

 

Mr Mlenzana was of the opinion that there was no need to disqualify them simply because they held offices at National Departments.

 

Mr Tseke said that since the Act provided for part time Board Members these nominees if they were successful after interviews could be appointed as part time Board Members.

 

Mr De Villers felt that persons who were officials in National Departments should be disqualified from being nominated.

 

Mr Mahkhubela said it was unfair to outrightly disqualify such persons simply because they held office in National Departments and that it would be expedient if the Co Chairpersons consulted with relevant authorities on whether or not there was any debarment from such persons holding position on the Board.

 

Ms F Muthambi (ANC) highlighted that public servants were required to take permission from their relevant executing authorities before taking up such roles.

 

Mr Bhanga said since the requirements of the Act were all South Africans, there was no need to exclude such nominees.

 

Mr Nyambi stated that it would be more expedient to conclude that the Committee would publish the 23 names rather than leaving it undecided.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi highlighted that it was important the Committee rescinded its prior decision of not nominating more than 20, to which members concurred.

 

Mr Makhubhela seconded the motion to rescind the Committee’s earlier decision and the Committee reiterated its decision to invite the 23 nominated candidates for interviews.

 

Ms Lebanya-Ntanzi advised that the Committee ensured candidates were screened for criminal records before appearing for interviews in keeping with the provisions of the Act.

 

Ms Kubayi, informed Members about the upcoming schedule of the Committee as regards the interview process and other ancillary matters

 

The meeting was adjourned.