New Youth Body To Spearhead Development

Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane will be responsible for the National Youth Development Agency, which has replaced the dysfunctional National Youth Commission and the Umsobomvu fund.

Chabane said the youth agency would be the country's "primary" custodian of youth development.

"The reason is that during the course of government restructuring all programmes which were handled in the Presidency at that time, with the exception of the GCIS, were taken to the Ministry of Women and that area has been corrected," said Chabane.

His comments followed the ANC Youth League's recommendation that they needed the Presidency to handle youth development.

Chabane did not give further details of how the agency would work.

"(The youth agency) is also mandated to embark on initiatives that seek to advance the economic development of youth people... (and) the implementation of the Integrated Youth Development Plan and Strategy for the country which will serve as a guiding instrument in advancing youth development at all levels," said Chabane.

The Presidency was considering reviving the now defunct Youth Development Forum to strengthen public-private partnerships to give more momentum to youth development and assist the agency with the "enormous" task of providing and ensuring "cohesive" youth development interventions, said Chabane.

He said the agency would also focus on job creation for the youth through government's Expanded Public Works Programme and assisting "skilled" youth to find work.

Meanwhile, the DA has raised a question about money earmarked for the National Research Foundation. DA spokesperson on higher education and training Wilmot James said they would be seeking clarity in Parliament from former education boss Naledi Pandor on where the funds went.

The DA speculated that the funds could have been given to the new Technology Innovation Centre and Biotechnology Regional Innovation centres.

"While these may be a place for such institutions such as this, provided they are well structured and run, it must not come at the expense of young engineers, scientists, researchers and social scientists," said James.

The Young Communist League, meanwhile, has welcomed plans by Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande to review the National Students Financial Scheme.

The YCL urged Nzimande to "standardise" the cost of studying for degrees.