National Youth Commission Programme & Restructuring; National Youth Service: briefing

Meeting report

IMPROVEMENT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND STATUS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND DISABLED PERSONS JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE
15 May 2002
NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION PROGRAMME & RESTRUCTURING; NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr T Setona (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Youth month programme (See Appendix 1)
Restructuring of the National Youth Commission (See Appendix 2)
National youth service (See Appendix 3)

SUMMARY
The National Youth Commission briefed the Committee on the Month of Youth, commencing 1 June 2002. The Free State had been identified as the host province where numerous events and activities would take place. Among the activities was a National Youth Parliament, which would convene in Gauteng to discuss issues relating to NEPAD. An African Youth Dialogue also focussing on NEPAD, the African Union and World Summit on Sustainable Development, would take place in Johannesburg with all African countries invited to send youth delegates. It was hoped to entrench volunteerism among South Africa's youth.

Restructuring of the National Youth Commission and the National Youth Service was also discussed. The aim of restructuring was to align and streamline youth development work at provincial level with that of national level, while the main aim of the National Youth Service was directed at fostering national and personal development.

MINUTES
National Youth Commission
Ms Xoliswa Makhasi, Deputy Chairperson of the National Youth Commission NYC explained the Youth Month Programme. The month of June would be declared a youth month and the programme, which would be run during the month, would focus on youth development. The programme would be run in partnership with provincial youth commissions and various youth organisations. The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Committee, seek their support in ensuring the success of the programme and to identify and discuss areas of partnership.

The Free State had been identified as the host province where various activities would take place. The theme was "Letsema, youth service for sustainable development". While the NYC was primarily focussed on promoting volunteerism, other areas of interest were moral regeneration, racism, HIV/AIDS, child abuse and popularising and defining the role of youth in WSSD, NEPAD and the African Union. Youth month would be launched on the 1 June 2002 and the participation of children, youth and provincial governments in the programme was emphasised.

Youth Services week would commence from 2-8 June 2002. Youths would volunteer to clean the town of Butterworth in the Eastern Cape in partnership with the Correctional Service Department and the Butterworth Municipality. National Youth Commission would also visit police stations and places of safety in the North West. NYC had visited police stations in Durban where they encountered high numbers of abuse in prisons and was hoping to further investigate the matter. The Tshepo Motloga memorial would be unveiled in Limpopo on the 26 June 2002 with local youth commissions spearheading the unveiling. Painted busses carrying the youth would travel from the Free State to the Eastern Cape. A moral regeneration activity will be held in Baviaanspoort on the 26 June 2002 (International Drug Day) in partnership with the IDCY cluster on social issues. A youth march was also planned with the date yet to be confirmed.

A National Youth Parliament, focusing on NEPAD, would be held on the 25 June 2002. The NYC was negotiating with the Gauteng Province to host the event, as financial constraints would not it being held in Cape Town. The event would be preceded by provincial parliaments also focussing on NEPAD.

An African Youth Dialogue would be held from the 28-30 June 2002 in Johannesburg. All African countries had been invited to send youth delegates to the Dialogue and the main focus would be on the role of Africa's youth in NEPAD, the AU and WSSD.

The month of July was set aside as an outreach and awareness month for the youth on WSSD at provincial and local level. It was hoped to entrench youth volunteerism as President Mbeki had stated in his State of the Nation Address that the youth should volunteer. There was also a focus on school development projects and programmes by the youth.

An HIV/AIDS summit for the youth would focus on the impact of the current AIDS policies and programmes and a review of the youth's role in the fight against AIDS with a focus on food security issues, care and support, and to seek a partnership with the Ministry of Health. On the 15 June 2002 a picnic-style youth fair would be held at the Waterfront in the Free State with exhibitions by all State Institutions, the private sector and youth servicing NGO's. It was hoped that Father Simangaliso Mkhatshwa would attend since a moral regeneration debate would be held in order to craft the youth, learners and youth leaders. Cultural activities would also take place.

A Youth Fun Run would be held on the 16 June in partnership with the Department of Sport and Athletics SA. This would be followed by the unveiling of a youth memorial in honour of the youth who died in the struggle against apartheid - this formed part of a project by the provincial government. Thereafter a youth project in agriculture would be launched, followed by indigenous sporting events and cultural performances. The Deputy-President would be present to deliver a message to the youth.

The programmes were designed in consultation with the Office of the President, the Provincial Youth Commission's, the Free State Premier and Provincial Government, Mangaung Local Council, Motheo District Council, youth organisations and national departments. A National Task Team would co-ordinate and facilitate the Youth Month Programme, while the Provincial Task Team would be responsible for logistics and mobilisation. In addition, a full-time Task Team would be sent to the Free State in mid-May to provide additional capacity. A communication campaign would be launched on the 1^st of June 2002 with the aim of using all available forms of media, including print and electronic. A Youth Day Booklet was in the process of being printed and would be used as an additional tool.

Restructuring of the NYC
Mr Jabu Mbalula, chairperson of the NYC said that the process of restructuring had begun in 1999 to align and streamline youth development work at provincial level with that of national level. This would help to facilitate better co-ordination of youth development programmes by commissions and State institutions. A youth policy was formulated in 2000 and was subsequently adopted by Cabinet in December 2001.

The NYC must then ensure smooth implementation of the National Youth Development Programme Fund from 2002 to 2007. There was therefore a need to redesign the organisation structure of NYC at both secretarial and political level. The NYC therefore recommended that relations between NYC and PYC's be strengthened by means of direct representation with all commissions set up as public entities. More authority should be vested in Commissions so as to ensure that State institutions deliver on youth development. More focus should be put on the local government tier of local youth units as a delivery mechanism and for engaging the youth in all activities at local level.

Mr Raju (DP) commented that tiers were no longer in existence.

National Youth Service
Mr Mbalula referred the Committee to President Mbeki's State of the Nation Address where National Youth Service was mentioned. He said that the National Youth Service's main aim is directed at fostering national development and personal development. The programmes objectives and purposes are to equip the youth with the necessary skills needed to enhance their chances of employment; to raise the level of youth awareness concerning their political and social roles and to act as a vehicle for enhancing the delivery on development programmes and projects, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Primary beneficiaries would be young participants and disadvantaged communities, while the labour market and the broad economy would be secondary beneficiaries. Target groups among young people would be higher education students, further education and training students, unemployed young people and youth in conflict with the law.

NYC works closely with relevant departments on various programs and policy issues, for example the Department of Public Works on issues relating to rehabilitation of state buildings. National Youth Service Programs are underway through a white paper on National Youth Service. The white paper received an extensive input from Social and Economic sectors and the Department of Labour, while the Department of public works donated a sum of R50 million.

Youth would then take part in the renovation of public buildings to make them user friendly for the disabled. A total of 267 buildings such as schools and hospitals -95 in Easter Cape, 48 in Kwa-Zulu Natal and 142 in North Province- which are accessible to people with physical disabilities are targeted to undergo modification by the youth. Four hundred and twenty young people were selected to be involved in construction work. R50 million from the Department of Public Works has been allocated for construction. One hundred young people would be trained in Parks Management in partnership with the Department of Public works in the North West; they would remove alien vegetation.

Discussion
Ms Gandhi (ANC) asked what the NYC was doing with regard to the problem of "gangsterism" in school. She quoted a TV report that day which stated that "a school was vandalised and a copper pipe was stolen". Her second question centred on the participation of black youth in other sports except football. She raised the question of HIV/AIDS projects, the abuse of women and the fact that we live in an increasingly male dominated society.

Ms Makhasi replied that vandalism and drug abuse were addressed in the moral and regeneration programme, that the Department of Education also had a role to play and that anyone could come to the school and vandalise it.

Mr Mbalula explained that gender equity had three categories, women, disabled and disadvantaged persons and that the NYC is satisfied with the progress they have made in striking the balance.

Mr Raju (DP, NCOP) asked what sort of conscious efforts were taken by NYC to get young people of different races together.

Mr Mbalula replied that that was achieved through sport but agreed that it was difficult, especially on national calendar days such as June 16, for white youths to celebrate because only black youth were affected.

Mr Lucas (ANC, NCOP) asked what the motive was behind the unveiling of Tshepo Matloga's Memorial.

Mr Mbalula answered that it was an initiative of the Provincial Youth Commission and that it aimed at addressing issues of racism in the country.

Ms Gandhi commented that the youth and the general public should respect public property because it was intended for their own use.

Mr Mosai (NYC) replied to the question regarding HIV/AIDS that NYC, in partnership with Sablicom, a communication and technology company, were visiting and teaching young convicts on the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

Mr Dhlamini was keen that the National Youth Parliament should be held in Cape Town.

Mr Moss asked what programmes were specifically put in place with regard to finance.

Mr Mbalula replied that their finance came mostly from private donors rather than public funds.

Ms Motsila suggested that there should be programmes specifically designed to bridge the racial divide.

Mr Setona suggested that NYC prepare an information package that could be circulated among MPs, and that it should involve all the relevant issues .

Mr Mbalula replied that they have prepared a memo to be presented to Frank Tshikano of the President's Office.

Mr Setona commented that the NYC White Paper was not well advertised and the Cabinet could throw it back to the commission.

The meeting was adjourned.

Appendix 1
YOUTH MONTH PROGRAMME
PRESENTATION TO THE JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND STATUS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND DISABLEDPERSONS, 15 MAY 2002, CAPE TOWN

Introduction
· A month long programme focusing on youth development, implemented in partnership with PYCs, youth organisations etc
· Host province - Free State
· Theme - "Letsema, youth service for sustainable development"

Purpose of the presentation
· Briefing to the Committee
· Seek the Committee's support to ensure success of the programme etc
· Committee to identify and discuss areas of participation and partnerships

Common Messages
· Promote volunteerism
· Focus on the Youth Service Programme
· Moral regeneration
· Focus on society's ills such as Racism, HIV/AIDS, Child Abuse
· Popularise and define youth role in WSSD, NEPAD and African Union

Youth Service Week (02-08 June 2002)
· Launch of the youth month programme, 01 June 2002 in Free State province. Participation of children, youth and provincial govt. in the programme
· Youth volunteer to clean the town of Butterworth, EC - partnership with Correctional Services Dept.
· Visit to North West Police stations and places of safety

Racism
· Unveiling of the Tshepo Matloga Memorial in Limpopo on 26 June 2002- spearheaded by LYC
· International Drug Day, 26 June activity at Baviaanspoort focusing on moral regeneration -partnership with the IDCY Cluster on social issues.
· Youth march for peace and stability (date to be confirmed)

NEPAD/AU
· National Youth Parliament, 25 June 2002 -negotiating with the Gauteng Legislature to host as financial constraints will not allow it to be held in Cape Town. Discussion to focus on NEPAD
· Will be preceded by Provincial Parliaments focusing on NEPAD
· African Youth Dialogue, 28 - 30 June 2002 in JHB. All African countries invited to send youth delegates - focus on Africa's youth role in NEPAD, AU & WSSD

WSSD
· African Youth Dialogue, 28 - 30 June - mobilise for greater participation of Africa's youth in WSSD processes
· Month for youth outreach and awareness on WSSD at provincial and local level - July
· Entrench youth volunteerism
· Focus on SD projects/ programmes by youth

HIV/AIDS
· An HIV/AIDS Summit of the youth focusing on the impact of the current Aids policies and programmes to youth.
· Review youth role in the fight against Aids with a focus on food security issues, care and support etc.
· Date not confirmed yet as partnership is sought with the Health Ministry.

Youth Fair
· A moral regeneration debate will be held in the morning session in order to craft the youth sector position - learners, youth leaders etc will participate
· Exhibitions by all state institutions (encourage the Imbizo style face to face interaction with youth by MECs, Mayor etc), private sector, youth servicing NGOs etc
· Cultural activities
· Picnic style - 15 June 2002, Waterfront in Free State

June 16
· Fun Run in partnership with the Sports Dept. and Athletics SA
· Unveiling of a youth memorial - a project of the provincial government
· Youth Rally - (Deputy) President's message to the youth
· Luncheon (launch of the youth projects in agriculture)
· Indigenous Sporting activities and cultural performances

Consultations
· Presidency Office
· PYCs
· FS Premier and provincial government
· Mangaung Local Council & Motheo DC
· Youth organisations
· National Departments

Management and co-ordination
· National Task Team - co-ordination and facilitation of the youth month programme
· Provincial Task Team - logistics and mobilisation
· NYC presence in FS
· Full time staff to be sent to FS by mid May to provide additional capacity

Communication & Outreach
· A communication's campaign to be launched on June 01
· Use of all available forms of media (print and electronic)
· Use of programmes outlined as an outreach and mobilisation tool
· Printing of a youth day booklet as an educational tool

Areas of support by the Committee
· Discussion on the status of youth in Parliament (form, content)
· National Youth Parliament
· Full participation of MPs in all youth months activities e.g. memorial lectures in provinces etc.

CONCLUSION
· The NYC hereby co-ordinates and facilitates a national programme requiring input, involvement, participation, support by all those who believe in the energies and abilities of young people to make this, a better and safe world for all those who live in it (young and old, black and white etc)

· We thank you for your ongoing support in the struggle for youth development!

Appendix 2
Restructuring of the NYC
Why the need for restructuring?
· The restructuring process started in 1999 in order to align and streamline youth development work at provincial and national level.
· Facilitate better co-ordination and facilitation of youth development programmes by Commissions and state institutions at large
· Achievement of the key mandate i.e. youth policy formulation in 2000, subsequently adopted by Cabinet in Dec. 2001
· Implication being that NYC must focus on co-ordinating and ensuring implementation of the NYDPF (2002-2007)
· Therefore, there is a need for redesigning the organisational structure both at a secretariat and political level (alignment of structures)

Recommendations
· Strengthen relations between NYC and PYCs through direct representation
· Setting up of all Commissions as public entities
· Need for more authority to the Commissions in order to ensure that state institutions deliver on youth development
· Focus on local government tier - local youth units as a delivery mechanism for engaging youth and delivery at local level

Appendix 3
NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE
"This year the government will work further to develop our greatest resources, our people, including the working people, the women, the youth and the disabled. Particular attention will be paid to such matters as health, including AIDS, education and training and the National Youth Service", (President Thabo Mbeki, in the State of the Nation Address of 8^th February, 2002).

AIM:
The National Youth Service in this country is currently conceptualised as a catalytic and facilitating programme for young people, directed at fostering national development (reconstruction and development) and personal development The programme's purposes are:

OBJECTIVES:
1. To equip youth with the necessary skills for an independent, constructive, and productive adulthood (a social objective),
2. To equip them with skills that would enhance their chances for employment in the labour market (an economic objective),
3. To inculcate in youth an understanding of their political and social roles and commitment (a social and political objective), and
4. To act as a vehicle for enhancing the delivery of the country's development objectives especially in disadvantaged communities (a social and economic objective).

BENEFICIARIES:
PRIMARY
Young people who are participating
Disadvantaged communities

SECONDARY
The labour market (increasing skills base)
Broader Economy (improving demand capacity of the economy,)

Target groups (among young people)
Higher Education Students
Further Education and Training Students
Unemployed young people, and
Youth in conflict with the law.

Interface between NYC and relevant stakeholders (for planning and implementation)
NYC works closely with relevant departments on programmatic and policy areas which affect the competency of the specific department (e.g., works with the Department of Public Works on issues relating to rehabilitation of state buildings)