PREMIER NJ MAHLANGU'S ADDRESS
The Youth Commission has a legislative mandate to influence policies of government. To this end, my office and that of the Director-General would support all efforts to ensure that the Youth Commission is allowed to sit in the HOD's Forum.
This opportunity will go a long way in assisting young people voice to be heard at the highest echelons of power.
Like all other stakeholders in development of people in the province, the Youth Commission is welcomed from time to time to request an opportunity to clearly lay their ideas on how cabinet – the political vehicle – can assist influence administrators and legislators for the good of the province. In this regard, I invite the secretary of the Commission to liaise with the HOD and DG on the modus operandi.
I am aware that the term of office of the present commissioners is going to expire in the next six months. To this end, I will instruct the HOD and the chairperson of the Portfolio committee on the Premier's office to begin the process in earnest. I will also sac more clarification from the Minister in the Presidency and chairperson of the NYC on the necessary steps to be embarked upon. All these process shall be done in consultation with the present commission. It is important that not later than February next year, all of us should have been properly briefing as to what constitute the next step, otherwise, we may do thing that are not in line with the framework proposed in the NYC, office of the Presidency. All these briefing will assist us in knowing exactly where to amend the act, the number of commissioners to be appointed, mandate and scope of work etc.
The constraints of the Youth Commission in terms of Budget has long been forwarded to me. It is the duty of your delegation to HOD's forum and Cabinet to impress upon this point. I can assure you of my office support in endvours to solicit more budgetary allocation to special pilot projects.
It has been brought to my attention that until today the YC organogram has been fully implemented. It is unfortunate how it is expected of you to live upon your mandate when you are Commissioner, typist, receptionist, officers and clerk at the same time. This State of affairs cannot be allowed to continue unabated. The remaining six months to your term should he dedicated in setting up proper system, infrastructure and human resource to avoid a situation where the new Commissioners go through the same vicious circle you have go through. Senior management, middle management and Junior staff compliments should have set-up before May 2000. My office and the DG are prepared to assist the commission in this regard. However, ensure a mean, lean and clean staff compliments.
I am aware of the auditors query on the continued maintenance of staff additional to your establishment. I am also aware of the huge chunk their salary bill has on your budget. We need to identify those staff amongst the m that are ready to relocate, quality on merit and willing to serve the commission. These need to be absorbed in your organogram. We also need to explore cabinet approval in relocating those that cannot be absorbed to departments where they could be of great. This process should be completed before the new Commission comes into office. We should build avoid frustrating the new Commission with problems that your three year terms should have addressed.
My office, the DG and MEC for finance will have to look at this matter urgently.
I am aware of the two Youth exchange programmes our province got engaged with in the past five years, one most recently. We need to explore cost effective exchange programmes heavily subsidized by they private sector, my office is already to use its good honour In mobilizing private sector into buying to the concept.
We are aware the President has adopted the HIV/AIDS project amongst his priorities. Similarly, I have no objection to be actively engaged in public relation exercise on HIV/AIDS by the Youth Commission. The youth has more in stake that the rest of the community. We need to seek alternative funding for such impressive project.
The National Government established the NYC the Provincial government established the Provincial YC.
It therefore goes without saying that District and local Council should pay special attention to youth Development. We need to engage the MEC local Government to explore Possibilities of Local Councils allocating funds in their budget for Youth Development. The National Youth policy encourages Local Governments to establish Youth desk in their councils. We need to emphasize and lobby stakeholders to include Youth development to area of operation of local councils before finalization of the demarcation process.
The national assembly has established a standing Committee on Youth, disabled children and women. We need to explore permeating this to our provincial legislature the speaker, myself and chairperson of portfolio Committee on the Premier's office need to examine this matter.
Our words must be translated into action. Our programmes should be planned against time frames. Six months is a short period. We need to accelerate our energy in achieving goals we have for ourselves within available period.