Inkatha Freedom Party Statement By:
Ms Pat Lebenya MP
Acting National Chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade

19 October 2007

Ms Pat Lebenya MP, Acting National Chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB), today criticised the Umsobomvu Youth Fund for changing the contracts they have with youth-owned graphic design companies. 

She said: "The IFPYB has always said that the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) was a waste of public funds as it has never addressed the needs of young people.

The UYF has always been viewed as a useless body by the IFPYB because it only services a certain group of people and offers no services for the youth based in the rural areas."  

"Forcing these graphic companies to do more work for the same fee, will force the majority of them to operate at a loss, as the payment received from Umsobomvu does not allow these companies to break-even or for a profit.  For these companies to operate at a profit is drastically important as most of them have loans to repay." 

"The IFPYB calls on the Department of Labour to close the UYF and call on the Presidency to create a Youth Ministry.  We have handed a memorandum to the Presidency on Youth Day calling for the creation of a Youth Ministry that should address issues such as unemployment, poverty, crime and HIV/AIDS."  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Ms Pat Lebenya MP: 078 186 3619