Pretoria - National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) newly elected chairperson Yeshen Pillay says the agency remains a critical vehicle for youth development in South Africa, saying much of the criticism against it has been mainly about administrative issues.
Pillay, also Chairperson of the Young Communist League, takes over from former ANC Youth League Deputy President Andile Lungisa whose three-year term at helm of the agency ended late last year.
The NYDA was established in June 2009 after President Jacob Zuma approved the merger between Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission. The agency receives its budget from the Presidency and part of its mandate is to champion youth development in the country and assist young people acquire business and development skills.
However, the agency has had its fair of criticism since its establishment with the opposition parties in Parliament even calling for it to be closed down.
It was criticised for spending R100 million on a youth festival in 2010. That event was later labelled the “kissing festival” after delegates were seen playing kissing games during the first day. The auditor-general also raised concerns about irregular expenditure amounting to R160 million during the 2011-2012 financial year.
“There has been some good work, if you look at, for example we have assisted more than 500 000 young people in terms of career guidance since 2009 and about 73 920 jobs have been created directly by the NYDA,” Pillay said in an interview with SA News.
He added that more than 28 000 enterprises had received financial and non-financial support from the NYDA over the years.
“For legitimate reasons, some of the good work has been overshadowed by for example, the "kissing festival," but the truth of the matter is that we have made progress.”
Pillay said he will dedicate his tenure at the agency to the fight against unemployment.
“Right now it (unemployment) is the most critical challenge facing us as young people. I’ve made a point to say you know, we may brag about 73 920 direct jobs as the NYDA but the fact of the matter is that if you put that against the six million young people who are sitting idle, its nothing.”
He said the NYDA may not be able create jobs for every young person, but it needed to make a “dent” on the unemployment picture.
The agency will use the month of June, which is also the Youth Month, to campaign for the jobs and the implementation of the Youth Employment Accord signed between government and its social partners.
“The administration has tabled to us the Youth Month plans which we are considering…we are likely to use the youth express train to popularise the Youth Employment Accord so that we maximise resources on our side and achieve the national reach.
“We will have the South African Youth Awards where we showcase those exceptional youth who have excelled but have not been given the lime light that they deserve.” – SAnews.gov.za
