(Subcommittee) NYDA Board Vacancies: Interviews day 2

Meeting report

Ms C Ndaba (ANC), Chairperson, informed the Sub-Committee that they would be consolidating all interview outcomes in the following week. She confirmed that deliberations on its report on the NYDA Board recommendations  must be conducted in a physical meeting. However, the 30 June meeting could be a blended or hybrid meeting with both physical and virtual attendance.

Co-Chairperson Ms M Gillion (ANC, Western Cape) agreed. She said that at Members should keep the interviews within the allocated time. She wished all candidates well and noted the positive feedback on social media. The interviews were an open and fair process for everyone in South Africa to see.

Candidate 1: Mr Siyabonga Magadla
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. She noted a response time of five minutes for his introduction. Thereafter four minutes per  response.

Ms F Masiko (ANC) asked the candidate's views on whether the NYDA was able to perform its mandate efficiently. If so, describe how it had performed its mandates effectively. If not, outline the shortcomings that have been identified.

Ms Masiko asked what recommendations the candidate would propose to amend the NYDA Act to improve its performance to better serve young people.

Ms Ndaba asked if the candidate thought the NYDA allocated fund was adequate to perform its mandate.

Mr M Bara (DA, Gauteng) remarked that it was always good to talk to someone who was in the system given Mr Magadla’s experience at NYDA. He asked what key projects the candidate would prioritise if appointed to assist in tackling the high youth unemployment and the negative impact of COVID-19.

Mr L Mphithi (DA) recalled the candidate had served as NYDA spokesperson from 2009 to 2015. That was also the time when NYDA had spent over 40% of its budget on salaries. This percentage was the highest since its establishment. He asked if the candidate had tried to have a conversation with the then-CEO about the high salaries which were done at the expense of young people. Across government, organs of state are now trying to contain or reduce salaries of officials. What was the candidate's view on this going forward?

Ms Brenda Mathevula (EFF, Limpopo) asked how the candidate would address gender equality if appointed.

Ms Ntlangwini (EFF) noted that the candidate held directorship in six companies and asked if it would be a conflict of duty to serve on the NYDA Board if appointed.

Ms Ntlangwini remarked that there is a negative perception among the youth and media about the NYDA. As the candidate has studied media, she asked what the candidate would do to change this negative perception so that NYDA could perform its mandate and serve the young people in South Africa if appointed as board member.

Ms Ndaba reiterated the necessity for the candidate to undertake to relinquish certain positions which he held if appointed.

Ms N Ndongeni (ANC, Eastern Cape) stated that the National Development Plan had highlighted political interference in administrative duties as a key factor causing instability in the public service. She asked what the causes were for political interference and the strategies to eliminate political interference. She asked the candidate to provide concrete examples.

Ms Ndaba asked the candidate to define political interference.

The interview was concluded.

Ms T Mgweba (ANC) said it was important to have a sign language interpreter in the meeting as the Committee needed to assure young people that the Committee is looking out for people with disabilities. The Committee must do what it preaches.

Chairperson Ndaba noted the concern was also shared by Ms Mathevula, Ms Masiko and Mr Bara. She further pointed out that a vernacular interpreter must also be available in the meeting.

Despite the lack of a sign language and a vernacular interpreter, Ms B Maluleke (ANC) supported proceeding with the interviews.

Candidate 2: Mr Thulisa Ndlela
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. The response times were indicated.

Ms Mgweba said that the NYDA defines youth as persons between the age of 14 to 35. She asked the candidate in his opinion if the NYDA was doing sufficient work to address the challenges it faced.

Ms Ndaba asked the candidate to provide examples of the challenges which the NYDA was currently facing.

Ms B Maluleke (ANC) remarked that there is a negative perception among the youth and media about the NYDA. What would the candidate do to change that negative perception if appointed and how he planned to abide by the guidance and principles of youth development without prejudice.

Ms A Maleka (ANC, Mpumalanga) said that good governance in public service encourages accountability for decision-making and efficient use of resources. She asked how the candidate would ensure good governance at the NYDA such as adhering to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). She asked what roles the board of directors would play at the NYDA.

Mr Mphithi emphasised the importance of the board in ensuring right practices in an organisation and appreciated the candidate’s wealth of knowledge. His noted the candidate’s alleged suspension as a Ezemvelo Wildlife board member. The entire board was suspended in 2020 following allegations of procurement irregularity, management interference. He asked the candidate to explain what exactly happened there.

Mr Mphithi followed up and asked the candidate to confirm if he is still suspended as well as his role on the board.

Ms Mathevula asked the candidate to explain what factors could cause political interference in administration. If appointed, she asked how he would handle a scenario where politicians attempted to interfere in the business of NYDA.

Candidate 3: Mr Lukhona Mnguni
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. The response times were indicated.

Ms Ndongeni stated that effective governance in public service encourages good decision making and the efficient use of resources. She asked how he planned to ensure that there is good governance at the NYDA if appointed.

Ms Masiko said that the National Development Plan emphasised enabling and prioritising greater participation and opportunities for rural communities in the economic, social and political life of South Africa. She asked what role the NYDA could play in achieving that goal.

Ms Mgweba asked the candidate to explain the relationship between the Integrated Youth Development Strategy and the National Youth Policy. She believed that the candidates should demonstrate competent understanding of these as a key element of the NYDA Act was for the NYDA to develop a strategy guideline for its implementation.

Mr Mphithi observed that there is a lack of public participation in the activities of the NYDA. He continually heard young people complaining about the NYDA’s negligence in consulting them prior to implementing its programmes. The NYDA only invited a number of NGO groups. He asked if the candidate had a strategy to reimagine and reinvigorate public participation for the rural youth in the Eastern Cape.

Mr Bara asked the candidate to provide three key areas he would tackle against the backdrop of 70% youth unemployment, if appointed. Those youths are worried about what they are going to eat tonight and many of them are relying on the R350 grant as their only source of income.

Ms Mathevula quoted research data showing a trend for young people being excluded from the mainstream economy. Young entrepreneurs often find themselves having no access to markets and capital after producing goods. In this scenario, what would the candidate do to assist those young entrepreneurs, if appointed.

Ms Ndaba asked the candidate to explain his understanding of the working relationship between the Department and the NYDA. What would be a conducive working relationship?

Candidate 4: Ms Makgatla Thepa
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why she wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how she would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. The response times were indicated.

Ms Maluleke commended the candidate’s achievement. It was inspiring to hear of her origin from a village. Most provinces in the country are geographically rural and she asked the candidate what she would do, if appointed, to ensure that a young person who lives in a deep rural area is aware of the NYDA projects and programmes and to more efficiently convey the message to the youth in those rural areas that the NYDA looks after and advocate their interests.

Ms Maleka said that effective governance in public service encourages better decision making and the efficient use of resources. If appointed, how she would ensure good governance at NYDA?

Ms Mathevula asked how she planned to address gender equality within NYDA if appointed.

Mr Mphithi said that the NYDA was given a R500 million budget the previous year and emphasised the importance for NYDA to leverage business relationships and encourage business organisations to empower young people. This would require a transversal approach. He asked what experience she could bring to the board for fundraising at the international level.

Mr Mphithi emphasised the transversal nature of work at the NYDA because of its regular engagement with other departments. He asked how the candidate planned to hold government departments accountable to meet targets and she to deal with Ministers and Directors-General who are at the forefront of running those programmes.

Candidate 5: Dr Amukelani Makhubule
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why she wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how she would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. The response times were indicated.

Ms Ndongeni asked the candidate to demonstrate her understanding on the Integrated Youth Development Strategy and explain why the strategy is important to the youth of South Africa.

Ms Ntlangwini noted that there has been a negative outlook towards the NYDA among many young people in South Africa. The youth felt that the NYDA had not been representing and serving their interest and ambitions. This is particularly true for those young people who live in deep rural areas. She herself noted that the NYDA offices were not accessible to many young people. For instance, there are only two NYDA offices in the Western Cape. She asked what the candidate would do to change the perception of the NYDA among young people and convey the message to young people to seek assistance from the NYDA if they wanted to start a business.

Ms Ntlangwini noted the candidate’s passion working in the LGBTQI and transgender communities. Based on the candidate’s experience, Ms Ntlangwini asked what she would do to ensure a transgender woman’s safety in a community that faces transphobia and corrective rape.

Mr Bara noted the high youth unemployment rate. The objective of the NYDA is to provide opportunities and to assist the youth to achieve and succeed. He asked the candidate if appointed what three key focus areas would be used to reduce youth unemployment.

Ms Mgweba highlighted violence against women and femicide as a key societal challenge in South Africa both in urban and in rural areas. It is pervasive and is happening on a daily basis. She asked the candidate's plan to work collaboratively with organs of government to address this.

Ms Masiko remarked on the poor mental health that many youths faced in the country. This is exacerbated by COVID-19. As the candidate is a health professional, if appointed, what interventions would she do to emphasise mental health of the youth given that many of them are quitting schools, falling into depression and becoming suicidal since COVID-19.

Ms Mathevula noted the lack of exposure to the NYDA in rural areas and asked the candidate for strategies to improve young people’s access to the NYDA.

Candidate 6: Ms Samantha Beynon
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. The interview would take 45 minutes.

The candidate informed the Committee that Mr Mphithi and she had previously both served in the same political party and had known each other personally. She asked if this would constitute a conflict of interest.

Mr Mphithi confirmed that Ms Beynon and he had previously served in the same political party. He was more than willing to recuse himself if the Chair believed this might pose a conflict of interest.

Both Chairperson and Co-Chairperson did not see it as a conflict of interest as there were other candidates who had also served in the same political party as them.

Ms Gillion asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why she wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how she would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. She asked the candidate to demonstrate her knowledge of the NYDA.

Ms Ndongeni said a relatively young population could be advantageous for a country provided that the majority are fully employed. However, this cannot be said of South Africa. Given the current labour market, if appointed, what would she recommend to the public and private sectors about employing the skilled and unskilled young population to reduce unemployment.

Ms Ntlangwini appreciated the candidate’s honesty.

Ms Ntlangwini remarked on the general media perception that the NYDA Board is being politically manipulated and there is interference. If appointed, how the candidate would juggle through the interference and win back the trust of young people. How will she navigate conflict of interest and not be influenced by any political party while do her work on the board?

Ms Masiko appreciated the candidate’s work experience in the local government sphere. She highlighted the huge concern that the NYDA is not reaching young people where they actually are. Young people would need to travel long distances and spend a lot of money on transport to reach an NYDA office. She asked what innovative strategies she could bring to the table to ensure that the NYDA services reach young people in rural areas. She asked the candidate to bear in mind  the NYDA budget constraints to set up offices everywhere in the country.

Ms Maleka said that the NYDA was established by the NYDA Act, 2008. She asked the candidate to outline the main functions given to the NYDA by the Act.

Mr Bara appreciated the candidate’s ability to combine her work experience and her critical thinking in this interview. His question arose from the fact that there is 70% youth unemployment. What would be the starting point to tackle youth unemployment if the candidate is appointed.

Candidate 7: Mr Lerato Gambu
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. She asked the candidate to demonstrate knowledge of the NYDA. The response times were indicated.

Mr Bara cited the 70% youth unemployment and asked the candidate what interventions would be needed to reduce unemployment in his opinion – considering that the downfall of any country always begins with joblessness among young people. If appointed, what key interventions would he propose for young people to know the NYDA is there to assist and has their interests at heart.

Ms Mgweba quoted the United Nations’ definition of youth entrepreneurship as the set of actors, institutions, social networks, and cultural values that produce sustainable entrepreneurial activities. She asked the candidate if youth entrepreneurship exists in South Africa and what the NYDA could do to help this entrepreneurial system.

Ms Mathevula asked the candidate what he would do to promote diversity in NYDA.

Mr Mphithi acknowledged the challenge of high data costs and its negative impact on young people. COVID-19 also means that more and more young people are reliant on technology to look for jobs nowadays. If appointed, what would be his plans to lower data costs for young people?

Ms Maluleke asked for his plan to deal with the NYDA budget deficit if appointed.

Ms Maleka said that effective governance in public service encourages better decision making and the efficient use of resources. If appointed, how would he ensure good governance at NYDA?

Ms Ndaba asked the candidate to define political interference and indicate how he would handle political interference at NYDA.

Ms Masiko asked the candidate to outline the desired attributes of a good board member.

Ms Ndaba asked if he had made inputs on proposed amendments to the NYDA Act.

Mr Mphithi recalled during the previous NYDA Board the candidate had served as spokesperson. The NYDA CEO had lived an extravagant lifestyle using NYDA funds to hire drivers to drive him to meetings. He personally had an issue with that. He asked the candidate about his view of good governance. The Committee wanted a candidate who is able to streamline the NYDA organisational structure and cut down on unnecessary expenses.

The candidate asked the Sub-Committee a question. He noted that the President was able to establish a transitional agency in the absence of an NYDA board in the past. He asked the Committee if it could use its oversight power to urge that a transitional agency be established as the NYDA is an important entity for young people.

Candidate 8: Mr Anthony Tolika Sibiya
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed.

Ms Masiko remarked that the work of youth development should not be the work of the NYDA alone. She asked about his strategy to advocate mainstreaming youth development programmes in both the private sector as well as in civil society.

Mr Mphithi highlighted two issues that are not often discussed but are important in his opinion. Firstly, the limited impact the NYDA had made on people with disabilities. This was especially exposed during the term of the previous board where people complained the NYDA offices did not accommodate persons with disabilities using wheel chairs. He asked the candidate what quick measures the candidate would take to ensure spaces are more accessible to people with disabilities.

Mr Mphithi said the second issue was hate crimes against the LGBTQI community including killing. How could the NYDA play a part in reducing such hate crimes?

Ms Maleka asked the candidate to explain how the Public Finance Management Act could be applied for good governance of the NYDA and what roles the board directors should play at NYDA.

Ms Ndongeni asked her question in her vernacular language [27:44—29:00]

Ms Ntlangwini noted Mr Sibaya’s Eastern Cape roots in his introduction. The Eastern Cape is known for its high level of corruption in government as flagged in the Auditor-General report. She asked what would be his role, if appointed, to ensure good governance at the NYDA.

Ms Masiko reiterated her previous question on lobbying and advocating for civil society organisations to assist young people. She was happy to see the candidate has extensive experience working with youth organisations such as the South Africa Youth Council in his CV. She asked what the shortcomings of the NYDA were in his opinion and to explain the interconnectedness between civil society and the NYDA.

Candidate 9: Mr Avela Mjajubana
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed. The response times were indicated.

Ms Ndaba asked the candidate to provide a set of key principles for good governance. She asked the candidate to explain why good governance is important to the NYDA.

Ms Mgweba said high unemployment, the fourth industrial revolution and COVID-19  are key factors changing the labour market. She asked in his view what necessary skills would be required of youth to be equipped for sustainable employment in South Africa.

Ms Maluleke said that the National Youth Policy was a cross sectoral youth development strategy with outcomes measured at the local, provincial and national level. She asked the candidate to demonstrate his understanding of the policy and indicate how the NYDA Board can assist with the implementation of the policy.

Mr Mphithi remarked that it was commendable that the candidate specialised in mental health given the severe impact that COVID-19 has caused young people. The capital assistance at the NYDA for informal entrepreneurs is capped between R2 500 and R10 000. There are also thresholds for start-up and formal businesses and cooperatives. Was this value proposition a viable one and what changes would he bring if appointed?

Mr Mphithi clarified his question and said these were the current value proposition at NYDA. He wanted to understand if and how he would change those thresholds if appointed.

Ms Ndongeni asked her question in her vernacular language [1:29:48—1:31:30]

Ms Ntlangwini said that more and more young people are starting their own business and there is a new trend of chicken farming. However, many of them do not have land to farm on, nor the knowledge or experience to penetrate markets to sell their products to big retailers. She asked what he would do to address these two challenges to assist young people, if appointed.

Candidate 10: Mr Pedro Mzileni
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why he wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how he would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed.

Mr Bara commented that in a country where 70 percent of the youth are unemployed, what are the key areas he would recommend to the NYDA Board to curb unemployment and create more employment opportunities for young people if appointed.

Ms Mgweba asked if he could provide five key principles for good governance and an efficient public service in a democratic state.

Ms Mathevula asked what measures he would put in place to encourage young women to become entrepreneurs.

Mr Mphithi said there has been a lot of talk about economic sectors needing to be grown and that people must make space for young people. He described the need to create linkages to sectors that would be producing jobs in the next ten to fifteen years. If appointed, what would he do about sectors not currently not booming but that would become major employment providers in the next ten to fifteen years and his plan to link young people to those employment markets.

Ms Masiko commented that there is a perception that government is unable to monitor, evaluate and account for its investment on young people. Since Mr Mzileni is a seasoned researcher, how can NYDA monitor and evaluate youth development across all governmental departments, the private sector and civil society to improve accountability and to accurately assess the return on government’s investment on youth development.

Ms Masiko said that she looked forward to addressing the candidate as Prof Mzileni one day.

Candidate 11: Ms Pretty Mzobe
Ms Gillion introduced the Sub-Committee and assured the candidate the interview process would be a fair and transparent one. She asked the candidate to give an introduction including personal details, academic qualifications and involvement in youth development and empowerment activities. She asked the candidate to demonstrate why she wanted to serve on the NYDA Board and how she would use the position to help the young people of the country if appointed.

Ms Mgweba said the NYDA was established by the NYDA Act, 2008. She asked the candidate to elaborate its functions in terms of the Act and if NYDA performs its mandate in her assessment. If yes, she asked how so; if not, what shortcomings were there and how to resolve those difficulties.

Ms Maluleke asked the candidate how she was planning to increase and expand NYDA’s access to young people in deep rural areas, including youth with disabilities.

Ms Mathevula said that most NYDA offices are not accessible for people with disabilities. If appointed, what measures would she put in place to cater for everyone, especially those with disabilities?

Mr Bara asked the candidate how she would market the NYDA programmes to people who are unemployed given the majority are the youth population.

Ms Maleka said that effective governance in public service encourages better decision making and the efficient use of resources. If appointed, how would she ensure good governance at NYDA.

Ms Ntlangwini noted the NYDA was clouded by negative perception by the youth. NYDA also has an issue with accessibility of programmes for people with disabilities. If appointed, how would she ensure this negativity is reduced and bring more positivity for youth development?

Ms Ndongeni asked the candidate to outline strategies for the NYDA to penetrate deep rural areas.

Ms Masiko commented on the candidate’s experience working as a youth centre manager and asked her to outline two major interventions she had implemented for youth with disabilities as part of her role as a manager for the South African Deaf Association.

The interview process with Ms Mzobe was concluded.

The meeting was adjourned.