Chairperson, hon members, we know as a matter of fact that before the 1994 democratic breakthrough, the system of colonialism and apartheid denied the majority of young South Africans, especially the African youth, opportunities to develop and realise their full potential.
Because of their unfortunate situation and their conviction to attain freedom in their lifetime, these oppressed and marginalised young women and men joined the South African struggle for freedom and liberation. Committed to fundamentally changing South African society for the better, these young compatriots continue making their contribution to the national efforts aimed at making South Africa a better place than before.
Given their role in the liberation struggle and in deepening and advancing constitutional democracy in our country, youth development must be central to the agenda of our development. This must be the case because that will generate enthusiasm among young people to participate in consolidating our democracy and shaping the direction of the country.
As the ANC we have always viewed young people as the most important strata in society, and sought to ensure that young people are fully integrated into society as agents of change. We do this convinced that young people are critical elements of the motive forces of the South African revolution, whose democratic forces drive the process of fundamentally changing South Africa for the better.
The ANC remains committed to redressing the imbalances created by the system of colonialism and apartheid and to affording young people long- overdue opportunities to participate meaningfully in all sectors of our society. [Interjections.]
We will continue to prioritise youth development within the broad framework of the reconstruction and development of our society. Because we take young people seriously, we continue to devise mechanisms which will advance the development of young people. [Interjections.] Yes, we do!
Among the interventions we have made currently is ensuring that government reviews institutions of youth development and creates a National Youth Development Agency, which will ensure seamless integration, sustainability and responsiveness to the demands and aspirations of our youth.
I am proud to report to the nation that in 2008 this House passed legislation to this effect and that processes have started to appoint members of the board that will govern the National Youth Development Agency. While we must remain committed to youth development, young people must know that they have a duty to the nation. They have to combat discrimination and racism wherever they are. They have to promote democratic values, a common national identity and play a meaningful role in the reconstruction and development of South Africa.
Since the establishment of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission, South Africa has seen various progressive interventions which contributed to the realisation of a better life for all. In his 2007 state of the nation address, the former President of the Republic, Comrade Thabo Mbeki, set 50 000 as a target for the National Youth Service Programme. As a government that delivers on its commitments, the ANC-led government delivered more than the target, as more than 60 000 young people participate in this programme.
This is a programme that was launched and rolled out to have the excluded young people of South Africa brought into the social and economic mainstream and also to inculcate in the youth of South Africa a sense of volunteerism, patriotism and commitment. In fact, this programme continues to help young people to develop the skills and abilities required and necessary to participate in the economy.
Through the Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission, the ANC- led government has helped more than 20 000 young entrepreneurs through the Business Voucher Programme. In particular, hon Chairperson, this voucher programme has achieved an increase of more than 11% in 2008 as compared to 2007; more than 12 000 jobs were created through this programme.
Without any doubt, education remains a key priority if we are to change society for the better; hence the ANC in Polokwane and in its manifesto reaffirms the importance of education in the transformation agenda.
Since 1994 our institutions of higher learning heeded a clarion call of the Freedom Charter that, "The doors of learning shall be open for all". Currently, we have thousands of learners who have been admitted to these institutions and many of them graduated and are now working and contributing to the reconstruction of this country.
Despite this, there are still challenges which have to be addressed when it comes to tertiary education. We cannot afford to have a system that marginalises the poor, especially the youth, at this time in our democracy.
It is also important for this House to acknowledge the good work done by some of the public institutions in providing exposure to the workplace through learnerships and internships. Many young people are also participating in a school-to-work programme supported by the Umsobomvu Youth Programme in which there are about 200 learners trained through the China Extended Public Works Programme and 100 through the India Artisan Project. More than 4 000 unemployed graduates have been trained in specific skills that will help them access employment and some of them have been placed in jobs already.
These are not just dreams. In this regard, let me quote Mr Malusi Kekane when he writes:
We have supported youth from all backgrounds, some of them are owners of great South African brands such as Stoned Cherry, Sun Goddess, MosewaMosa and K5 Aviation, to mention a few.
In conclusion, let me say that we know that a lot has been done and a lot has been achieved, more must still be done to reduce and even eradicate youth unemployment.
Mhlalingaphambili isabelo seR1 billion enikwe Umsobomvu Youth Fund siyakholwa ukuba iza kuhamba ibanga elide kuphuhliso lolutsha oluza kuqhubeka phantsi kwentlangano entsha iNational Youth Development Agency. Kwaye sinethemba elikhulu kurhulumente oza kungena ezintanjeni ka-African National Congress ukuba uza kuqhubekela phambili ngophuhliso lolutsha, abuye kananjalo aphose usizo oludingekayo ukuzalisekisa iinjongo zophuhliso lolutsha. Ndiyabulela. [Applause.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[Chairperson, we believe that the allocation of R1 billion given to the Umsobomvu Youth Fund will go a long way towards youth development under the new National Youth Development Agency. We also have high hopes that the incoming ANC-led government will continue with youth development and also provide the assistance necessary to achieve the objectives of youth development. Thank you.]