(Subcommittee) NYDA Board Interviews Day 2

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

28 July 2020
Chairperson: Ms C Ndaba (ANC) Co-Chairperson: Ms M Gillion (ANC, Western Cape)
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Meeting Summary

Video: JM:Sub Committee of SC on Health & PC on Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities      Part 2

The Joint Interview Sub-Committee of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Select Committee of Health and Social Services met for Day 2 of interviews to fill seven vacancies on the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board following the expiry of the term of the previous Board in May. Five of the 30 shortlisted candidates were interviewed.
 

Meeting report

[The responses to the interview questions can be found on the audio]

The Chairperson explained that Ms Sinenhlanhla Shezi who was scheduled to be interviewed the previous day could not make it.

Ms F Masiko (ANC) said the candidate had disqualified herself for interview since she has not given reasons for not attending.

Mr L Mphithi (DA) asked that the reason the candidate could not make the interview be tabled as many young people wanted the opportunity.

Candidate 1: Mr Siyabonga Magadla
The Chairperson explained the interview procedure and introduced all committee members. She asked the candidate to introduce himself and tell them about himself and why he thought he would be a suitable candidate to be appointed to the NYDA Board.

Ms F Masiko (ANC) said there is a general negative perception of the NYDA amongst the youth that it serves only a specific cohort of young people. She asked what the candidate had done to change this perception and, if appointed to the NYDA board, what would he do better to change this perception.

Mr Mphithi noted that the candidate had been involved with the NYDA for quite a long period and that he has an understanding of what is required. He asked what the candidate thought the NYDA’s shortcomings were while he served at the NYDA and how he would practically change this if appointed to the board.

Ms Khawula asked a question that was not in English [50:41]

Ms T Mgweba (ANC) said the Constitution is the supreme law of South Africa which guides all its citizens. She asked the candidate what it means to him to achieve good governance if appointed to the NYDA board.

The Chairperson spoke in her vernacular language [48:43 / 1:1:03].

Ms B Maluleke (ANC) referred to the candidate’s comments that the previous board had done good work. There are NYDA satellite offices in municipalities, but these are not accessible to people in deep rural areas. She asked what the candidate would do to ensure the NYDA was visible in deep rural areas, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chairperson asked about the policy frameworks the government was using. She asked if the candidate thought the government had implemented what the NDP says.

The Chairperson asked if the candidate had any questions, explained the selection process going forward and thanked him for availing himself for the interview.

Candidate 2: Ms Janneke Heitink Pretorius
The Chairperson explained the interview procedure and introduced all committee members. She asked the candidate to introduce herself and tell them about herself and why she thought she would be a suitable candidate to be appointed to the NYDA Board.

The Co-Chairperson asked the candidate what leadership qualities she would bring to the NYDA board, to reflect on where she had played a leadership role in a previous organisation and to provide an example of this.

The Chairperson followed up question and asked which section of the NYDA Act empowers the candidate to do what she had mentioned in her previous answer.

Mr Mphithi asked the candidate what programs and campaigns she would articulate to lobby for people living with disabilities if appointed to the NYDA board.

Ms Khawula asked a question that was not in English [18:57]

Ms Khawula’s question was interpreted. She said statistics in South Africa show that unemployed youth stands at 20.4 million. It is clear that our youth is not well taken care of and this includes educated and non-educated members. It also shows that we do not have dedicated board members that have the youth’s best interests at heart. She asked what the candidate would do differently if appointed to the NYDA board as her wish was to see the youth become employers and land owners involved in farming projects. How would the candidate ensure this becomes a reality. She would also like to see the government use the R350 grant to purchase land and tractors for the youth.

Farming has always been our legacy and it is something we were born into. We need money and nurturing skills programmes for the youth, particularly those who come from rural areas. How would the candidate go about doing this, if appointed to the NYDA board?

Ms Mgweba said history has shown that people with disabilities are always economically excluded. She asked how the candidate would achieve the objectives of the NDP that speaks to people with disabilities and the SONA 2020 priorities of gender equality or gender mainstreaming to ensure young women and those with disabilities benefit from NYDA training, mentorship services and business opportunities.

Mr E Nchabeleng (ANC, Limpopo) asked how the candidate would amend the NYDA Act [inaudible].

The Chairperson asked if the candidate had any questions, explained the selection process going forward and thanked her for availing herself for the interview.

Candidate 3: Mr Lerato Simon Gambu
[Due to poor audio some of the candidate’s answers could not be captured at the start].

The Chairperson explained the interview procedure and introduced all committee members. She asked the candidate to introduce himself and tell them about himself and why he thought he would be a suitable candidate to be appointed to the NYDA Board.

Mr Mphithi asked the candidate what he thought has been the shortcomings of the NYDA in his capacity as NYDA spokesperson and what he would do to address this.

The Chairperson asked if the candidate is permanently employed as the NYDA spokesperson or if his employment is on a contract basis. She referred to the NYDA strategic and annual performance plans and asked if he thought the measures it uses to assess the impact on its programmes were appropriate and what needs to be changed in these programmes and its APP.

Ms Masiko asked how the candidate would ensure good governance at the NYDA if appointed to the board.

Mr Mphithi said that he thought the candidate gave a clear response. He noted that in 2017 the candidate supported a trip by the NYDA board to the United States, despite many young people saying the trip was a waste of money which could have been directed to better use. He asked the candidate for clarity on this and how it relates to good governance.

Ms Khawula asked a question that was not in English [20:31]

Ms Maluleke asked the candidate what he would do to solve a conflict if it arises. She continued speaking in her vernacular language [27:19].

Mr Nchabeleng asked the candidate how the PFMA applies to the NYDA and what role the board of directors plays.

Mr Bara asked the candidate how he would direct the NYDA in a way that ensures it receives a good return on investments made by the government for young South Africans since most are unemployed and are looking to government to find the means to curb this. He asked what he thought government should do to ensure young people directly benefit from its initiatives.

Ms Masiko asked a follow-up question on youth development [inaudible due to poor sound quality].

Ms Mgwebu said the candidate cited an article on the mainstreaming persons with disabilities. She asked how the candidate would close the gap for those persons living with disabilities to ensure they form part of the youth development agenda.

The Chairperson asked if the candidate had any questions, explained the selection process going forward and thanked him for availing himself for the interview.

Candidate 4: Ms Hazel Nasiphi Moya
[Note: Parts of this interview were inaudible due to poor sound quality]

The Chairperson explained the interview procedure and introduced all committee members. She asked the candidate to introduce herself and tell them about herself and why she thought she would be a suitable candidate to be appointed to the NYDA Board.

The Chairperson followed up and asked if she is currently working at the Tshwane Municipality.

Mr Nchabeleng said there is the view that the NYDA Act needs to be reviewed. The Act has been in existence for the past 10 years and it is in the process of being reviewed. He asked what her input would be on this process and what youth interventions she would suggest.

Mr Bara asked if the candidate anticipated signs of economic breakthrough for the youth and what should be done to address youth unemployment.

Ms Khawula asked a question that was not in English [27:45].

Ms Maluleke said there was a perception that the NYDA was not for all youth in South Africa. She asked the candidate what could be done to change this negative narrative or perception amongst the youth. She said the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many challenges and asked the candidate what she would do to ensure that the NYDA was visible in deep rural areas in particular.

Mr Nchabeleng asked a follow-up question and wanted to know what the candidate's perception of the NYDA was.

Ms Masiko asked about the candidate’s time in academia and said she was quite impressed with this. It is important for government or any other institution to implement research-based interventions. She asked what strategies the candidate would devise to ensure the NYDA implements research-based interventions if appointed to the board.

Ms Masiko asked a follow-up question on the candidate's view of the effectiveness of the skills development programmes which have currently been rolled out by the NYDA. She was referring to both accredited and non-accredited programs such as soft skills that had been launched.

Mr Mphithi thanked the candidate for her contributions. He said many young people prefer to work in the professional sector as opposed to starting their own business and many will argue that this is due to the lack of role models within that space. The youth also feel that the economy is unstable for them to start their own business. He asked how the candidate would contribute to encouraging and creating sustainable solutions for young people who want to enter the entrepreneurial space. Without discounting the current programmes the NYDA has, how would the candidate add to or change those programmes to ensure that young people can engage sustainably.

Ms Mgweba asked the candidate what value she would bring and what workable programmes she would recommend to intensify the fight against patriarchy and gender-based violence and affirm the positive presence of young women and people with disabilities on the ground in a way that encourages independence, if appointed to the NYDA board.

The Co-Chairperson asked if the candidate had any questions, explained the selection process going forward and thanked her for availing herself for the interview.

Candidate 5: Ms Karabo Mohale
The Chairperson explained the interview procedure and introduced all committee members. She asked the candidate to introduce herself and tell them about herself and why she thought she would be a suitable candidate to be appointed to the NYDA Board.

The Co-Chairperson asked the candidate what she thought she could contribute to enhancing the vision of the NYDA in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and where South Africa is as a country, if appointed to the board.

Mr Nchabeleng said it was encouraging to hear a young person saying that they were passionate about finance. He asked how the PFMA would apply to the NYDA and what role the board plays in terms of the PFMA.

The Chairperson asked the candidate how she would ensure compliance if appointed to the board. She said the NYDA resources are not enough or adequate and asked the candidate what mechanisms she thought she could put in place, if appointed to the board.

Ms Mgweba referred to the President's 2020 State of the Nation Address. Government allocates funds to reduce youth unemployment. Which sectors of the economy must be focused on to create jobs and advance youth development to combat increased levels of youth unemployment?

Ms Masiko asked what she thought was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the young people of South Africa and what government should do to protect the youth from the adverse effects of COVID-19.

The Chairperson said she has seen many young people commenting on social media about the R350 grant and that many young people have been fighting for food parcels. She asked if the candidate thought it was time to teach men and young men to take full responsibility for supporting their children.

Ms Khawula asked a question that was not in English [33:31].

A committee member asked a question but it was inaudible [41:42].

Mr Nchabeleng made reference to patents and asked the candidate how she would ensure that young people’s intellectual property is not stolen.

Mr Mphithi said he was impressed by the candidate's contributions and that she was the only one who spoke of food security which is something many people in South Africa are thinking about, particularly how COVID-19 has affected industries and agriculture. He asked the candidate how she would ensure those in rural or remote areas have access to the NYDA to get assistance. What innovations would the candidate bring to the NYDA, if appointed, to upgrade access.

Ms Masiko asked the candidate what the NYDA could do to raise awareness on gender-based violence and the blesser / blessee phenomenon and what partnerships the NYDA can enter into to combat these challenges.

Ms Khawula asked a question that was not in English [1:05].

The Chairperson asked if the candidate had any questions, explained the selection process going forward and thanked her for availing herself for the interview.

The meeting was adjourned.

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