Deputy Speaker, President Oliver Tambo once said that a nation that cannot nurture its youth is doomed. President Jacob Zuma cannot nurture its children. He has failed for six or seven months to appoint the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA. The NYDA now sits without a board.
The Presidency has caused more misery to the unemployed youth by spending R969 000 on berets, and half a million on T-shirts for national Youth Day. What is baffling to many young South Africans is that nobody has seen the T- shirts and berets. Not even the Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane, was wearing a T-shirt or beret.
This is not the first time that the NYDA has wasted taxpayers' money while 51% of South Africa's youth is unemployed. In 2010 the agency spent over R100 million of taxpayers' money on hosting a kissing party for a few. The majority of young people, who attended the World Youth Festival to acquire knowledge and skills ... [Laughter.] ... rather than kissing, were compelled to stand in long queues. If the President cannot appoint a board, Cope calls for the disbandment of the structure of the NYDA and the establishment of a youth ministry. Thank you. [Applause.]