SAYC NEC STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24 July 2017
The South African Youth Council (SAYC) met this past weekend, from 21 – 23 July 2017, for its 4th Triennial General Assembly (TGA) to assess the status of youth development in the country, as well as to elect a new leadership in light of the end of the 3 year term for the previous National Executive Committee (NEC). The Triennial General Assembly held under the theme “Consolidating the youth base for radical socio-economic transformation”, undertook a thorough analysis of the challenges facing young people in South Africa across a variety of sectors including education and skills development, enterprise development and access to opportunities.
Acknowledging fully the strides made post the democratic dispensation to introduce young people into the mainstream economy, the TGA echoes the sentiment that much more still needs to be done. One of the greatest challenges in providing opportunities for young people remains the lack of coordination of efforts between government and social partners.
“South Africa has an abundance of opportunities that could be harnessed to help bring young people into the mainstream of our economy through a variety of interventions. The greatest challenge and threat to our progress remains coordination of efforts, red tape and bottle necks both in government and the private sector which hinders the potential to unlock opportunities for the youth,” said newly elected SAYC President Thembinkosi Josopu.
SAYC is an umbrella body for youth formations in the country including political, business, civil society, and religious, and will therefore, use its constitutional mandate to enforce more coordination on issues relating to youth development. “Through various forums including our participation at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), the Presidential Youth Working Group and other similar forums, we will ensure that going forward issues of young people are not only raised, but that there is follow through in terms of implementing practical programmes towards improving the lives of young people,” said Josopu.
The SAYC TGA also expressed itself on the prevailing remnants of historically skewed structures of the economy. Delegates strongly felt that capitalism in the 21st century continues to oppress the youth. The young and the old from disenfranchised backgrounds share a common enemy of capitalism that continues to favour the historical racial relations that breed inequalities. Delegates called on the South African government to actively protect the township economy for the benefit of black youth owned enterprises against the dominance of huge retailers that are killing small businesses across South African townships. Delegates also welcomed the appointment of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board and consider the NYDA as a strategic ally to the work of the SAYC towards the overall development of young people.
The SAYC TGA concluded with the election of six (6) Executive Committee members and an additional 15 National Executive Committee members. The top 6 officials are as follows:
President: Thembinkosi Josopu
Deputy President: Tumelo Zwane
Secretary: Bongani Luvalo
Deputy Secretary: Thembani Makata
Treasure: Lerato Mofokeng
National Chairpersn: Wesley Kgang
On the passing of SASCO Ngaka Modiri Molema Regional Secretary:
The SAYC wishes to express its most sincere condolences to the family of Comrade Lesego Racoco who unfortunately died in a car accident on his way home to North West at the conclusion of the SAYC TGA. Their loss is our loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult period. We also wish to express our support and sympathy to the families of the other delegates who were travelling in the same vehicle and sustained injuries during the accident. We wish them a speedy recovery.
On the passing of veteran government communicator:
We also pass our sincere condolences to the Mamoepa family following the passing of their son, Mr Ronnie Mamoepa who earned himself a titled as a “Dean of government communications”. His untimely death brought shock to all South Africans and indeed the government communication fraternity is poorer without him.
We say to comrades Ronnie and Lesego, Robalang ka kgotso, and to their families; we say thuthuzelekani!
Issued by the South African Youth Council