National Youth Commissioners: interviews

CHILDREN YOUTH AND PERSON WITH DISABILITIES JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE
26 May 2006
NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSIONERS: INTERVIEWS

Chairperson: Ms W Newhoudt-Drunchen (ANC)

Documents handed out:
File containing list of candidates and their CV’s [PMG did not receive this file as it contained personal information on the candidates.]

SUMMARY
The chairperson informed nominees that only 5 of the 15 short listed candidates would be selected and those names would then be forwarded to the President for approval.

Most candidates felt that the youth were not apathetic as the majority were involved in youth activities. Some candidates felt that more emphasis should be placed on the marketing of the National Youth Commission and that globalisation and the media played a role in youth development.

MINUTES
The chairperson told each of the nominees that only 5 of the 15 short listed candidates would be selected. Those names would then be forwarded to the President for approval. She asked that the candidates introduce themselves to the Committee and talk about their involvement in activities pertaining to the youth. A summary of the interviews conducted follows:

Mr M Modiba (Gauteng)
Mr Modiba is currently an interim manager for the Umsombuvu Youth Fund. He has served on various youth movements and leagues including SASCO (South African Students Congress), and believes that youth development should not be viewed in isolation of any other development. He felt that, because of the country’s history, women should form part of all structures and should not be discriminated against. Youth with disabilities were part of the society and should not be excluded. The Youth Commission was not visible enough. The leadership of the National Youth Commission (NYC) needed to be looked at to remedy the problem. The NYC should develop a better research unit. The youth were not prepared to give back to their communities. He felt that youth apathy did not apply to everyone.

Ms N Mohomane (Tshwane)
Ms Mohomane participated in the Ubonto youth club in Soweto, and formed part of the Learner Representative Council whilst still at school. After going to study at the Pretoria Technikon she become involved in politics. The challenge, which both women and disabled youth face, needs to be acknowledged. The HIV/AIDS pandemic causes the youth to become elders before their time. The youth is currently not been developed in a patriotic manner. She felt that this is an area where the NYC can focus on. She said that globalization also plays a role in youth development. The Policy Framework of the NYC needs to be understood, so that it can be implemented effectively.

Mr M Daki (Tshwane)
Mr Daki has formed part of the Student Representative Council (SRC) whilst studying at University. He later became the National Secretary of the UDM’s youth league and is currently completing his studies through the University of South Africa (UNISA). He is an administrator for the UDM and does work with issues relating to women, youth and students. He felt that there was still a problem with youth development, especially relating to those who were marginalised. The NYC was there to develop young people. The majority of the youth did not know where to look for information once they had graduated. He felt that there was a lack of involvement from the youth as they were ignorant. A campaign should be launched to educate the youth on June 16, 1976. Young people were lazy and did not have a sense of leadership.

Ms R Smith (Gauteng)
Ms Smith is completing her PHD and works as a consultant in media and communication. She has taught at a University and had started to do research on youth. She felt that gender equality was critical. There were a lot of initiatives in place to promote gender equality. Disabled youths needed to be integrated into society, as this was critical for youth development. The youth were participating in activities although this was not necessarily the case throughout the country. Emphasis should be placed on local youth activities. Community media should be made more accessible. Unemployment is a considerable fear amongst the youth. Not enough people were aware of the NYC. She felt that the media should be used more for this. The media played a big role in youth development.

The meeting was adjourned.