Chairperson, I think his question was flushed down! [Laughter.]
Position regarding steps to ensure that National Youth Development Agency acts in a nonpartisan manner
258. Ms S B Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) asked the Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency:
(1) Whether he has found that members of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) took part in the march that had been arranged by the ANC Youth League (details furnished); if so;
(2) whether he intends taking any steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what steps;
(3) whether he intends taking any steps to ensure that the NYDA conducts itself in a nonpartisan manner; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NO4054E
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY - PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESIDENCY: Chairperson, firstly, let me say that, in the Public Service, public servants are not required to indicate what they will be doing during their leave days.
Secondly, it is not incumbent upon any institution of state to monitor what public servants are doing when they are on leave. They are free to embark on any activities of their choice, no matter political, social, economic or otherwise.
It should also be noted that the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, does not have membership but employees. However, on 24 October, the NYDA publicly called on young people to attend and support the march. In this regard, no staff members attended the ANC Youth League march in their official capacity as NYDA employees. The NYDA is, therefore, not aware of any staff member who attended the march during their working hours. There is no need to take any steps as no employees attended the march on behalf of the NYDA.
It should be noted that the NYDA advised all staff members via an internal memorandum before the march that, should any member wish to attend the march, they should take leave. The NYDA leave forms specify different leave types of leave like study, annual, and sick leave. However, it does not require any employee to indicate the purpose of their annual leave.
There will be no steps taken as the NYDA has explained its position on the support of the march to my satisfaction. The NYDA indicated that they support and will support anyone or organisation that assuages the plight of young people and support of the march by the ANC Youth League was based on that principle. Thank you. [Applause.]