Chairperson, the youth of today are our future and tomorrow's leaders; and yet studies show that 70% of our country's youth population remains unemployed.
In 1994, after our democratic breakthrough, a period of youth development became part of the developmental intervention of the democratic state. We saw the development of youth-focused policy and legislative frameworks. In 1996 the National Youth Commission Act saw the establishment of the National Youth Commission.
In 2001 government showed its commitment to development by establishing the Umsobomvu Youth Fund, through section 3 of the Demutualisation Levy Act, Act 50 of 1998. Money was put into this fund to fast-track mainstreaming youth economic participation in the country.
The mandate of the NYC was the establishment of a statutory body charged with formulating a national youth policy, co-ordinating the implementation of such a policy and lobbying and advocating for youth development in the country.
The mandate of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund states that the fund is established in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Minister of Finance may determine to fund national projects for skills development and job creation.
Unfortunately, there were weaknesses and limitations experienced by the NYC because of its limited mandate and the fact that it had no enforcing powers. The hon member from the IFP mentioned in her presentation that there were many failures from the NYC, and these were not failures on their part, but because of the limitations regarding the mandate within the Act. That was the reason for the limitations - because of the law.
The Umsobomvu Fund lacks a legal mandate for this fund to be regulated and therefore it regulated itself. The two institutions also literally ran parallel programmes and were at times duplicating each other's mandate, yet they did not interact with each other or conduct joint planning sessions.
The youth convention and the ANC Polokwane conference renewed calls for a new agency to be set up. The Ad Hoc Committee on the National Youth Development Agency Bill had just completed its task in working on this Bill this week. Thirty-two written submissions were sent to the committee; 21 presentations only were made to the committee and many of them came from different youth formations as well as provincial youth commissions; and four individuals also made submissions.
The reasons for the submissions were for the ad hoc committee to hear the views of different youth formations and different individuals on the draft Bill. This Bill arose from the need to merge the two institutions, namely the National Youth Commission and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund.
The idea of the National Youth Development Agency will ensure seamless integration, sustainability and responsiveness to the demands and aspirations of South African youth.
The Joint Monitoring Committee on Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Children, Youth and Disabled Persons oversees the work of both these agencies.
Concerns have been raised in the committee and brought forward to the committee, and these concerns were that the programmes of both the NYC and the UYF were not inclusive. They were not representative of all the youth of South Africa, especially youth with disabilities and the rural youth. There has not been enough public awareness about the work of the NYC and the UYF. This was evident when we as the JMC performed oversight work.
During the public hearings we noted that most of those presenting to the ad hoc committee agreed that a merging of the NYC and the UYF was needed. They were happy to support a new agency.
In the Bill, the objects of the agency are that they are to develop an integrated youth development plan and strategies for South Africa. They are to develop guidelines for implementation of youth development as well as initiate, design, and co-ordinate, evaluate and monitor all programmes aimed at integrating the youth into the economy and society of our country.
The agency will guide efforts and facilitate economic participation and empowerment, and achievement of education and training. It has to partner and assist organs of state, the private sector, the NGOs and community- based organisations on initiatives directed at attaining employment and skills development.
It will initiate programmes directed at poverty alleviation, urban and rural development and combating of crime, substance abuse and social decay amongst youth. It has to establish annual national priority programmes in respect of youth development and promote a uniform approach by all organs of state, the private sector and nongovernmental organisations to matters relating to or involving youth development. It must endeavour to promote the interests generally of the youth, particularly young people with disabilities.
In order for the agency to achieve these objectives, it will establish competencies and capabilities in its operations, including the following: It will be responsible for the national youth service and social cohesion, economic participation, policy, research and development, governance, training and development, youth advisory and information services and the national youth fund.
There has also been a concern and talk that the merger will cause staff members to lose their jobs and end contracts. The Bill specifically says in clause 21 that following section 197 of the Labour Relations Act, staff of the NYC and the UYF will be transferred to the agency. This should prevent any panic that might occur.
Committee members and those presenting their submissions were concerned that service delivery to the youth of South Africa, the national youth policy and integrated national youth strategy be implemented so that our youth can benefit.
Coming out of the presentations from the two institutions to the JMC it has been noted that there are government departments which do not take the needs of the youth seriously.
As chairperson of this committee, and as a member of the ad hoc committee that worked on this Bill, I hope that in its work this agency will take into consideration the need to fast-track services to the youth.
If I do not have another opportunity from this podium, I would like to thank the NYC and the UYF for all the work that they have done, in spite of the limitations and challenges that they faced. I wish you all the best. Thank you. [Applause.]