The Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA), which comprises of the youth structures of the Mass Democratic Movement convened a virtual Secretariat meeting on the 13th of June 2020, to discuss the impact of the current economic challenges on young people in South Africa and globally, the phased reopening of both the basic education sector and Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, and a PYA-led programme of action during and post the Covid-19 crisis.
Equally, the Secretariat agreed on a collective programme to build the Progressive Youth Alliance under a new normal. Rebuilding the Progressive Youth Alliance will require mutual cooperation in deepening and strengthening relations, supporting the renewed intensified efforts of the ANC NYTT in rebuilding a radical and militant ANCYL and providing absolute support to the student movement.
ON YOUTH MONTH
The Progressive Youth Alliance will support and be part of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus youth month programme under the theme “Youth Power, Growing South Africa Together in a time of COVID-19”. However, the Secretariat agreed on a common programme of the Progressive Youth Alliance – as individual components and collectively – in commemorating youth month within the context of Radical Socio-Economic Transformation.
BUILDING A YOUTH CENTERED ECONOMY NOW AND BEYOND COVID-19: JOBS FOR YOUTH
Given the current normal presented by the Covid-19 reality which has intensified already existing challenges amongst young people – unemployment, underdevelopment and poverty, the Progressive Youth Alliance Secretariat resolved to establish a committee comprising of all components to draft a youth economic framework with youth demands to compliment the alliance economic framework
The Progressive Youth Alliance secretariat is alive to the fact that graduate unemployment will rise as a result of the current economic reality presented by the pandemic and has resolved that government and the private sector should put measures to drive student entrepreneurship and bolster youth in business.
The need for youth participation in the economy cannot be overemphasized and needs the government to take bold decisions which will secure the future of our country through empowering young people.
The State of the Nation Address earlier this year promised that government departments will reserve a quarter of the departmental budgets for youth employment and youth empowerment. We are aware of the fact that nothing has been done in this regard – and the current pandemic cannot be used as a scapegoat for not delivering on this promise.
The Progressive Youth Alliance Secretariat, therefore, calls on government to prioritize youth empowerment in responding to the pandemic and beyond this era by procuring from youth enterprises and employing young people as frontline troops in government.
ON THE ANTI-RACISM CAMPAIGN AND POLICE BRUTALITY
Our National Democratic Revolution commits us to fight the scourge of racism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head. In principle, we understand that the question of racism cannot be isolated from the class and gender struggles.
This is a historic ideal and principle that our movement was built upon and we have a responsibility to fight for this ideal.
The brutal murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others in the United States is not separate from the struggle against racism in South Africa or elsewhere in the world. It is a characteristic of the global unjust system which facilitated and sponsored apartheid South Africa and continues to facilitate and sponsor apartheid Israel.
Therefore, following the launch of the Alliance campaign on racism, the PYA will embark on an anti-racism campaign through various activities.
The ANC NYTT will host an anti-racism picket on Monday the 15th of June 2020 at Luthuli House joined by other PYA components.
We equally condemn police brutality on citizens during the nationwide lockdown. The brutal killing of Collins Khoza and others necessitates the South African government to reflect on the force used by the security cluster on citizens during the nationwide lockdown. Such brutality is unnecessary and should be investigated.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Amidst the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country, young people – both young men and women – should be frontline troops against this scourge and in building a non- patriarchal society.
The ideals of our National Democratic Revolution commit the Progressive Youth Alliance in building a non-racial, united, prosperous, democratic and non-sexist society where all men and women, across all races, are socially, economically and politically empowered. The perpetrators involved in the murder of Naledi Phangindawo and Tshegofatso Pule, and many other GBV related cases, have no space in our society and should be convicted. We have to build our communities to become self-defence units working with law enforcement agencies in the fight against gender-based violence, rape, human trafficking and abuse. All our communities should be safe spaces for all South Africans.
Issued by the Progressive Youth Alliance
Sibongile Besani Tinyiko Ntini Buthanani Goba
ANC NYTT YCLSA SASCO
For more inquiries contact:
Sizophila Mkhize
ANC NYTT
0784366831
Dloze Matooane
YCLSA
066 570 3902
Luvuyo Barnes
SASCO
0793937131