Pretoria - Minister in the Presidency, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang will be conferred with the honours of a Goodwill Ambassador and Champion for the improvement of Maternal and Child Health in Africa beyond 2015.
Dr Tshabalala-Msimang is scheduled to address the fourth Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Health (CAMH4) in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa on Thursday, where she will be honoured for her work done.
She will also sign the African Youth Charter (AYC) as authorised by the President of South Africa after both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces approved that the charter be signed and ratified.
The Charter is a continental political and legal document and serves as a strategic framework that gives direction for youth empowerment and development at continental, regional and national levels.
It intends to strengthen continental and regional relations; and to also prioritise youth development on the African Union's development agenda.
It focuses on obligations of State Parties; rights and duties of young people and development of National Youth Policies.
The Charter also identifies key youth development indicators such as education and skills development; poverty eradication; socio-economic integration of youth; sustainable livelihood and youth employment among others.
In South Africa, the Charter will be implemented within the context of the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2009-2014 which was recently approved by Government.
The Charter is inline with the efforts of the African Union that seek to provide an avenue for effective youth participation in development processes.
It is also part of the efforts to implement the African Union Commission's (AUC) Horizon Strategy (2004-2007).
