Parliament, Tuesday, 6 February 2024 – The Select Committee on Health and Social Services highlighted concerns around the visibility of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), particularly in rural areas, during a briefing today from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities on the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Bill.
The committee questioned the department on the existence of plans to extend the NYDA’s reach into rural areas, saying the NYDA would achieve its mandate by reaching the communities it exists to serve.
The Acting Chairperson of the committee, Mr Elleck Nchabeleng, also stressed the importance of communities being made aware of the NYDA’s programmes. He urged the department to provide the committee with a progress report in its next meeting on these issues.
The National Youth Development Amendment Bill aims to, among other things, amend the National Youth Development Agency Act of 2008, to address challenges in executing its legislated mandate and enhancing youth development service provision.
The department told the committee that the NYDA was established through the merger of the National Youth Commission and Umsobomvu Youth Fund, and its founding legislation is this 2008 Act. The proposed amendments also seek to address challenges in the practical implementation of the original Act, aligning it with the National Development Plan and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, MR ELLECK NCHABELENG.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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