Chairperson, the ANC has always viewed young people as the most important stratum in society. We will continue to ensure that they are fully integrated into society as agents of change, because we remain convinced that youth development has a place in the broader framework of reconstruction and development in our society.
The newly established National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, which was launched in June, has committed itself to recruiting one million young people to participate in its National Youth Service Programme. The agency has developed several strategies to ensure that the target is met.
The programme will allow undergraduates and unemployed youth with accredited skills an opportunity to get involved in various activities to uplift communities. It will develop a database of young people in each particular skill, which will be recorded and would make it easy for selection. The ANC commends the NYDA for the speed with which they have started to discharge their important responsibility. [Applause.]