A delegation of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is going on a trip to New York for “high-level discussions” on youth development, the agency said on Friday.
The delegation, led by NYDA chairperson Andile Lungisa, was leaving for New York on Friday evening, for a two-day “UN high-level meeting” next week, spokesperson Siyabonga Magadla said in a statement.
By Friday afternoon he had not responded to questions about how many people were part of the delegation, what the trip would cost and who was paying for it.
His statement said: “The two-day high-level meeting is expected to emerge with a declaration that will support programmatic solutions needed for the eradication of poverty and unemployment towards sustainable development, particularly as it relates to young people.”
The meeting would be held under the theme, “Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.”
According to the UN’s website, the meeting would take place on Monday and Tuesday.
The NYDA was in the spotlight last year after hosting an international youth festival, incurring expenses of over R100-million.
At the time, it was reported that delegates played “kissing games” while waiting for the festival to start, after delays were announced over the loudspeakers.
There were transport problems and some speakers did not arrive.
According to a programme distributed at the start of the event, ANC veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu were to address thousands of young people from over 100 countries at various sessions.
But it later emerged that none of the speakers had confirmed their attendance and would in fact not attend.
There were also problems with access to food and complaints about caterers not being paid. — Sapa