President Jacob Zuma officially launched the National Youth Development Agency on Tuesday which is expected to curb poverty and unemployment among the youth.
”Youth development is therefore a critical focus area for our government. We are therefore pleased to mark the 33rd National Youth Day, with the launch of the National Youth Development Agency, which will usher in a new era in youth development,” Zuma told a youth day celebration in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg.
The agency was formed out of the merger of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission.
Zuma acknowledged the uphill battle that the newly formed agency would have to face in addressing the plight of young people.
”The agency has a lot of work to do. It has to develop an integrated youth development plan and strategy without delay,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery at the event.
”It must initiate, design, coordinate, evaluate and monitor all programmes aimed at integrating the youth into the economy and society in general,” he said.
The agency was mandated to improve the quality of lives of youth through collaborating with government departments to find ways to alleviate poverty, unemployment and other social ills among young people.
One of its challenges would be to create an environment conducive to learning, skills development, and economic participation of the youth.
Zuma also hailed those youth who had volunteered to assist in hosting the Confederations Cup tournament.
”This selfless character attests to the patriotism of our youth on matters of national interest.”
The country needed active young people to participate in processes that contribute towards making South Africa a better country, he said. – Sapa