Latest news with #NationalYouthDevelopmentAgency
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Ramaphosa appoints NYDA board
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) board, set to run for three years starting on August 1. This is in line with the NYDA Act of 2008. The role of the board is to address issues faced by young people in the country. 'The agency functions as a single, unitary structure addressing youth development issues at national, provincial and local government level,' presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said. Ramaphosa has previously been criticised for delaying the appointment of the NYDA board. The appointments come four months after the portfolio committee on youth, women and persons with disabilities recommended nine people to fill the vacancies, which excluded ANC Youth League members. Of the nine, only seven were selected. Sunshine Minenhle Myende was selected as ]chairperson of the board, and Bonga Siphesihle Makhanya as deputy chairperson. Other board members are:
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Teenage pregnancy labelled a national crisis by deputy minister
Steve Letsike, deputy minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, has warned that teenage pregnancy is not only a health issue but also a threat to South Africa's social fabric and future prosperity. Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement in Pretoria, Letsike said there were over 90 000 pregnancies recorded among girls aged between 10 and 19 in 2024, with more than 2 300 of these cases involving girls between 10 and 14. 'To call this alarming would be an understatement. These are children, some barely in their teens, some not even teenagers, now forced into motherhood,' he said. He stressed that a child as young as 10 becoming pregnant was not just a statistic but a tragic societal failure and, in many cases, the result of criminal acts. 'This crisis threatens the foundation of our social and economic development. Teenage pregnancy poses a serious threat to the health, rights, education and socio-economic well-being of girls,' he said. The deputy minister explained that teen mothers are more likely to drop out of school, face reduced job prospects, and become trapped in poverty – a cycle that perpetuates inequality. 'In other words, today's teen pregnancy is tomorrow's poverty and inequality. We must recognise this as not only a public health issue but a social justice emergency.' Letsike added that the crisis is linked to a range of broader societal issues, including child sexual abuse, statutory rape, HIV and STI rates, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), poverty, substance abuse and harmful cultural narratives. 'To craft effective solutions, we must honestly confront how and why so many young girls are getting pregnant,' he said. Deputy ,inister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli echoed these concerns, saying the numbers reflect deeper socio-economic issues and require an urgent, coordinated response. 'These are not just numbers. Teenage pregnancy is more than a health crisis – it's a national emergency. Government cannot do this work alone,' she said. Mhlauli called on all sectors of society, including parents, educators, faith-based organisations, civil society, media and the private sector, to unite in safeguarding the future of South Africa's children. Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency, Asanda Luwaca, also addressed the engagement, calling teenage pregnancy an injustice rooted in systemic failures. 'It is about gender inequality, poverty, exploitation, broken family systems, absent accountability and a dangerous silence that protects perpetrators more than it protects girls,' said Luwaca. She emphasised the importance of implementation, saying South Africa already has policies and frameworks in place. 'What we need now is unapologetic implementation across every level of society,' she said. The stakeholder engagement is part of a national initiative to establish a Roadmap to South Africa's Teenage Pregnancy Prevention and Management Response. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
New NYDA CEO amid youth unemployment crisis
NYDA says its new leader brings strategic focus and economic expertise as youth unemployment reaches crisis levels. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has officially welcomed the appointment of Ndumiso Kubheka as its new CEO. His leadership comes at a pivotal time in South Africa's fight against youth unemployment and economic exclusion. The agency on Wednesday said Kubheka's experience as an economist and strategist would strengthen its impact. It will help place young South Africans 'at the centre of the country's development priorities'. 'Mr Kubheka's appointment signals renewed energy, strategic direction, and commitment to positioning South Africa's youth at the centre of the country's developmental agenda,' said NYDA Executive Chairperson Asanda Luwaca. 'The NYDA family welcomes Mr Kubheka's appointment and looks forward to working together to unlock the full potential of South Africa's youth.' A critical moment for youth development The NYDA noted that Kubheka's appointment comes during a time of significant economic pressure. South Africa continues to face one of the highest youth unemployment rates globally. There is limited access to opportunities, and persistent structural barriers hold young people back. 'The NYDA's mandate to drive transformation and harness the potential of young people is of paramount importance,' the agency said in a statement. Kubheka's appointment is seen as a response to these challenges. The agency hopes his leadership will accelerate efforts to foster inclusive growth, expand youth entrepreneurship, and promote skills development. ALSO READ: Waterkloof principal transferred amid witness interference claims Economic credentials and youth advocacy Kubheka is a highly respected economist with expertise in macroeconomic strategy, trade and investment, governance, and industry risk. He has served as CEO of KH Equity Partners and currently chairs the board of The Da Vinci Institute. According to NYDA, Kubheka also sits on the board of Moody's Investor Services South Africa. He contributes to innovation platforms such as the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the Top Technology 100 (TT100) Programme. Recognised by the Sedibeng District Municipality, the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Presidency for his work in youth empowerment, Kubheka holds several academic qualifications. These include an MBA, a Postgraduate Diploma from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), and a BCom Honours in Economics from UNISA. 'Throughout his career, Mr Kubheka has played a strategic role in strengthening the link between economic policy, institutional governance, and practical solutions for advancing the socioeconomic participation of young people,' the NYDA said. ALSO READ: Pretoria Girls High principal found guilty of misconduct Appreciation for outgoing acting CEO The agency also extended gratitude to Mafiki Duma, executive director for Corporate Services. She had been acting CEO during the transition period. 'Her commitment and calm guidance have ensured continuity during the agency's time of transition,' the statement read. With Kubheka now at the helm, the NYDA said it looks forward to scaling its efforts to drive inclusive development and support the aspirations of South Africa's youth. NOW READ: Payment delays for school assistants caused by DBE verification issues
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
NYDA opens doors to opportunities for another 40,000 young South Africans
SA's greatest asset, its young people, face a complex reality of untapped potential, high unemployment, and limited pathways to economic participation. The future of the nation hinges on unlocking the capabilities of its youth. In response, the National Youth Development Agency has launched Phase 4 of the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP), signalling a renewed commitment to empower young people, foster social cohesion and drive transformation. Designed to support young South Africans, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the NYSP addresses the challenges of youth unemployment and social exclusion by engaging young people in meaningful community service. It offers them practical work experience, mentorship, skills development, and a pathway to future employment opportunities. Over the past three years, the programme has provided more than 81,000 service opportunities to SA's youth, with more than 21,000 of these NYSP participants transitioning into further learning and earning opportunities. Now Phase 4 of the programme is set to unlock a further 40,000 opportunities — a bold step towards contributing to future social cohesion and building a generation with a shared experience of service in their communities. Phase 4 reflects the government's renewed commitment to scaling up the NYSP, reaching more young people, deepening community impact, and supporting smoother transitions for youth. The National Youth Development Agency recognises that the journey from school to work or from economic inactivity to participation is fraught with barriers for many young South Africans. By offering structured work experience, on-the-job training, and service placements, the NYSP provides a practical bridge for young people to build their skills, grow their confidence, and enter the job market. By offering structured work experience, on-the-job training, and service placements, the NYSP provides a practical bridge for young people to build their skills, grow their confidence, and enter the job market The significance of NYSP Phase 4 also lies in its alignment with SA's National Youth Policy 2030, which calls for integrated, multisectoral approaches to youth development. The programme directly contributes to the objectives of the National Development Plan 2030, particularly the imperative to reduce poverty and inequality while unlocking the economic potential of young people. As with previous phases, the impact of the NYSP Phase 4 will be visible at both individual and community levels. Young participants will gain essential skills — ranging from technical expertise to life skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership — which are often cited by employers as critical for entry-level positions. At the same time, communities will benefit from service projects that address pressing needs, such as improving public infrastructure, supporting healthcare initiatives, or enhancing environmental sustainability. The road ahead for NYSP Phase 4 involves deepening partnerships with municipalities, the private sector, and civil society to expand the reach and effectiveness of the programme. Collaboration is essential to ensure that the NYSP serves as a springboard for long-term employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and further education pathways for participants. Despite the positive strides, SA's youth development landscape remains characterised by significant challenges — high unemployment, limited work experience opportunities, and social exclusion for many young people in marginalised communities. The success of NYSP Phase 4 will be measured not only by the number of participants but by the quality of their experiences, the skills gained, the communities transformed, and the opportunities unlocked. At its core, the NYSP is about giving young South Africans a reason to believe in their future and their country. As Phase 4 unfolds, it offers renewed hope that with the right support, opportunities, and platforms for service, the potential of SA's youth can be realised, driving not only personal growth but national transformation.
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Youth unemployment is a moral emergency
Mashatile urged young people to consider starting their own businesses instead of waiting for employment opportunities. Deputy President Paul Mashatile has conceded that young people in South Africa are not living the future they hoped for. This is amid the high levels of unemployment, inequality, and a lack of access to opportunities, especially in the digital world. 'As the government, we acknowledge that, for these young people, their reality remains untenable, undesirable, and unsustainable,' said Mashatile in his Youth Day address in North West. ALSO READ: Is South Africa's unemployment rate really only 10%? According to Stats SA, young people between the ages of 15 and 34 make up just over half of South Africa's working-age population, approximately 20.9 million people. 'However, far too many of them can't find work, especially those between the ages of 15 and 24,' said Mashatile. The country's unemployment rate has increased to 32.9%. The figure goes up to 43.1% if we include people who have given up looking for work. 'What is also deeply worrying is the growing number of young people who are not in Education, Employment, or Training.' The current figure stands at about 3.8 million. Among 15–24-year-olds, 37.1% fall into this category, with young women being slightly more affected than young men. When considering the broader age group of 15–34 years, the rate is even higher, at 45.1%. Graduates are not spared from this onslaught either, with nearly one in four graduates (23.9%) struggling to secure employment. ALSO READ: Minister agrees unemployment statistics should include work in informal sector 'This is more than just an economic issue. It is a moral emergency. It affects our entire society and demands urgent action from all sectors – government, business, and the broader community. We must address the structural challenges in our economy to tackle inequality and skills mismatches between education and the job market's needs,' said Mashatile. Mashatile on entrepreneurship Mashatile urged young people to consider starting their own businesses instead of waiting for employment opportunities. 'In this day and age, entrepreneurship is one of the keys to building a better future.' ALSO READ: Mashatile reveals he spent R2.3m on travel, food, and laundry for Japan trip Mashatile highlighted the government's various programmes to support young entrepreneurs, including financial assistance, business development services, and skills training. The National Youth Development Agency's Grant Programme and Youth Challenge Fund are key initiatives, alongside the launch of a R20 billion annual Transformation Fund for the next five years, aimed at boosting Black-owned businesses and historically disadvantaged groups. 'However, I believe that young people require more than hope and resilience to thrive. They need policy support and access to capital and markets for their goods and services. And above all, they need a coordinated ecosystem that recognises that, by working together, we can do more to create an enabling environment for young people.' READ NEXT: Mashatile avoids answering questions about 8 VIP protection service members cleared by Saps
