DWYPD BY JESSIE TAYLOR
New legislation to further unlock youth empowerment programmes
A
new piece of legislation will look to improve the effectiveness of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in addressing the challenges faced by South Africa’s youth. The National Youth Development Agency Amendment Bill has been championed by the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, to optimise the service delivery of the NYDA. The NYDA focuses on economic development through youth entrepreneurship and employment and addresses development issues in all three spheres of government. ADDRESSING CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUTH Youth represent more than a third of the South African population, yet they face numerous challenges – including a shockingly high unemployment rate, lack of equal access to education, poverty and crime. To improve the lives of young people, the NYDA designed and implements policies and programmes to address the challenges unique to South African youth. The agency represents young people’s interests and ensures they are prioritised at the government level and strives to create more opportunities for the youth. To ensure the NYDA continues to deliver this important service, the new legislation will shift the NYDA’s mandate further towards initiating, designing, and piloting socioeconomic programmes that empower youth. These programmes would be implemented by the NYDA, state agencies, the private sector organisations and civil society organisations.
12 24||Public PublicSector SectorLeaders Leaders| |June May 2022
