The Honourable Speaker, The Honourable Premier, and Honourable Members of the House, we appreciate this opportunity to address you today on issues which affect our daily lives and indeed our future and that of our yet to be born children.

In addressing our elected representatives today it is our hope that our concerns and aspirations are given the attention that we believe it deserves, as it will reflect on our ability to achieve our own personal and collective goals, including your own.

As youth it is our responsibility to gear ourselves towards our individual and collective futures, recognising our roles and responsibilities including the reality of resource and present capacity.

We also recognise the growing apathy among our fellow youth and the growth of a culture of entitlement versus a culture of initiative and self and communal development. We are here today to stress to this Honourable House the importance of reversing this trend and to focus on education and development in order for us to realise our full potential and be able to contribute as active members of our society and country.

The IFPYB believes that youth are entitled to a stable family environment; protection from exploitation, discrimination and abuse; education, employment and recreational opportunities; and representation in decision-making bodies affecting youth.

We believe that youth are an important component of South African society which ensures it's future and continuity. It is for this reason that we regard it as a matter of utmost importance that a fully-fledged policy on youth in South Africa should be developed in order to help guide a steady development and full participation in national life of this important sector of South African society.

The IFPYB wants to encourage among youth a common South African patriotism and devotion to our land based on the hallowed tenents of African humanism otherwise known in Nguni languages as abuntu and in Sotho languages as botho. The principle of umuntu ungumuntu ngabanye abantu - motho ke motho ka batho (a person is a person because of and through others; otherwise commonly put as 'I am because we are'), should be a fundamental guiding principle which should be ingrained among the youth of our nation.

We believe that it is important to encourage strong families and communities, positive role models, individual and communal self-reliance and the promotion of social justice. Government must encourage and promote healthy lifestyles and high moral values among the youth, and focus on the immediate and long-term dangers of alcoholism, unwanted pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, prostitution, drug and other substance abuses.

We believe that optimum opportunities for advancement and development should be provided for youth as this can only serve to stabilise and improve the nation's future well-being and quality of life. Equally, the IFPYB believes that the energy and enthusiasm of youth should be employed and channelled towards constructive social reconstruction and development initiatives.

It is for these reasons that the IFPYB strongly believes that since South Africa, and our province of KwaZulu-Natal, is largely a developing country, facing numerous developmental challenges and problems, it is imperative to employ the energy, enthusiasm and time resources of youth to help combat poverty, disease and ignorance.

We believe it is the duty of youth to join with those already engaged in consolidating and promoting the ideals, values and practices of peace, democracy and freedom. We must take the initiative and actively participate in development efforts and to acquire skills necessary for economic progress and social stability. We must also develop positive work attitudes and disciplined work ethics and uphold as a priority the protection and conservation of the environment for the well-being of present and future generations.

As youth we must also show respect for all members of the community, in particular the children, the aged, the impaired, and the disadvantaged and show respect for and strengthen family values and traditions.

We must adopt at all times behaviour that is dignified, responsible and courteous and be willing at all times to assist others in accordance with basic tenets of ubuntu-botho. We must also have a sense of concern for the future of South African society and reject behaviour that is self-destructive and the use of drugs, violence and crime and be proud of the motherland and be willing to add to its achievements.

The IFPYB also recognises the important role that adults have to play in the development, guidance and training of youth which confers upon them the obligation to be positive role-models; to be providers for the physical, emotional, mental, moral, cultural, spiritual and economic well-being of young people; to be supporters and encouragers for young people to participate in education, training and employment; to accept young people, not only in respect to their potential to be of service to society but also with regard to their differences, preferences and particular needs; and to help the young develop responsibility for themselves and to assume the capacity to stand on their own in a context of social harmony.

Any policy, programme or initiative aimed at youth development and empowerment should recognise youth as an important segment of our society which must receive special attention and priority treatment when it comes to the provision of opportunities for development.

It is equally important to promote the participation and contribution of young people in social reconstruction efforts and development initiatives in our country and province. The establishment of provincial and local programmes and structures to enhance youth leadership development and full integration into communities should also be encouraged.

A co-ordinated and holistic approach by all stake-holders involved in youth development programmes and activities must be ensured, reflecting the major issues facing young people in KwaZulu-Natal. Strong families and communities must be encouraged to promote the positive upbringing of young people, presenting positive role-models and promoting social justice.

The main objectives which should be pursued in any action geared towards youth development and empowerment include:

• To ensure that all young people have the opportunity to fulfill their potential as developing individuals and as members of groups within the community by supporting their aspirations, expectations and rights to acquire and develop knowledge, skills and values needed during the transition to adulthood and responsible citizenship.
  
• To provide opportunities for young people to actively and responsibly contribute to the economic, cultural, social and educational development of the country through various initiatives and programmes managed in closest consultation with themselves as users.
  
• To establish a voluntary National Youth Service and through it to mobilise South African youth in the urgent task of national social reconstruction and development.
  
• To provide opportunities for young people to develop relevant life and work skills which will help them become useful and self-reliant members of the community.
  
• To encourage and promote healthy lifestyles among the youth with special focus on the immediate and long-term dangers of alcoholism, unwanted pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, other sexually-transmitted diseases, prostitution, drug and substance misuse, by providing access to information and documentation which will instill high social and moral values.
  
• To make accessible locally, information about career opportunities and employment options, including self-employment initiatives for young people in all sectors of the economy.
  
• To encourage participation at all levels whether in the arts, culture, leisure, recreation and sports. Where talent is evident, this should be recognised and further developed.
  
• To generate positive attitudes in young people to protect and enhance their natural environment and to promote a sense of national pride in their country.

In order to achieve these desired objectives it is of the utmost importance

that societal values are considered and reflected. Respect for human rights, freedom and democracy expressed through high moral values and integrity, the rejection of prejudice, tolerance, self esteem, unselfishness and honesty with oneself and others should be reflected.

Respect for law and order and acceptance of the principles of fairness, equality and non-discrimination in every day life should be promoted.

Further, national unity based on the recognition and respect for cultural autonomy and diversity of the people of South Africa should be promoted.

Respect for and sensitivity towards nature and the environment including a sense of responsibility with regards to consumerism, sustainable development and global survival must be given importance.

The pursuit of the highest standards by all involved in working with youth must be instilled. The tenacity and will-power to strive towards personal well-being and fulfilment through one's own efforts in all aspects of life be it moral, physical, mental, spiritual or cultural must also be instilled.

Further to the rights enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa and in various international conventions to which South Africa is a signatory, it is important to highlight rights to which young people are entitled:

• The right to a healthy, supportive and stable family environment and good parental care;
  
• The rights and freedom of political, cultural and religious expression;
  
• Protection from any form of exploitation, discrimination and abuse;
  
• Right of access to education, vocational guidance and training, opportunities for employment, health care, legal services, sport and recreational facilities;
  
• Right to individual and collective ownership of property;
  
• Right to a decent, dignified existence and full social integration for the physically and mentally impaired; and all those in anyway disadvantaged, to special protection;
  
• Right to representation in decision-making bodies affecting youth affairs; and the
  
• Right to a safe and clean environment.

The IFPYB recognises the wide range of issues of concern to young people in our province, however the following key areas have been identified as priority for action.

Key target groups of youth policies must be young women, the unemployed, orphans, the disabled, street children, the out-of-school and the rural youth.

The IFPYB recognises the need for youth to make an effective contribution to

social reconstruction and development efforts of their province and country

through initiatives that are aimed at combatting poverty, disease and

ignorance. To this end, effective and co-ordinated initiatives need to be

taken to set up a voluntary Youth Service to enable young people to be

deployed in community development schemes that are aimed to foster self-help

and self-reliance. Such a service should be voluntary and should provide

for incentives by way of rewards to those young people who volunteered to

participate.

Quality education which meets the needs of young people and equips them to

participate fully in the adult world of an ever changing society is the key

to future prosperity. Vocational education and training should match young

people's capabilities with their ambitions, equipping them with all the

relevant skills and knowledge to succeed.

While academic qualifications are essential, so too is the process of

informal education and training, required to develop individual

characteristics and behaviour patterns for the future. Opportunities should

also be provided for the youth to acquire skills for self-reliance.

Unemployment is one of the greatest problems facing young people in our

province, and responding to it requires the efforts of all sectors of

society. Therefore, concerted efforts are urgently required to spearhead

innovative employment creation strategies, so as to involve urban and rural

youth in jobs within the public and private sectors as well as to encourage

them to enter into self-employment in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Encouragement should be given to promote entrepreneurial schemes coupled

with the creation of an enabling environment to make it easier for young

entrepreneurs to access credit for start-up finance. Active partnerships

between educational establishments and the world of industry and commerce

would ensure 'supply and demand' is met most effectively in the important

areas of human resource.

Furthermore, vocational training offered to youth should correspond to

evolving needs within the national economy, and should be as innovative as

possible. Opportunities should be provided for the youth to acquire skills

which enhance their employability and self-reliance.

A healthy body and mind is a fundamental requirement for living a

meaningful, productive and active life. This is especially so for young

people who should be offered guidance and support when making important

choices affecting their entire future development.

The dangers of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted

pregnancies, drug and alcohol dependency can be reduced and controlled

through promoting accurate, easily understood medical information.

Promoting discussions on family life issues in schools and in other

community fora, together with counselling, will help to achieve moral and

practical acceptance of responsibility for one's own actions.

Regarding the pandemic of HIV/AIDS which affects our province particularly

and also affects each of us either directly or indirectly, we urge this

House to build on the initiative taken by the IFP-led government under the

leadership of our National Chairman, Dr LPHM Mtshali, and expand on the

provision of anti-retrovirals to a full provincial roll-out to ensure

longevity and productivety of our citizens and reduce the potential human

and socio-economic disaster we will face in the future. We are fully aware

that to address this serious pandemic requires a holistic approach, but we

need to seriously address immediate concerns and ensure proper education to

prevent future infections and to seriously assist those infected and those

affected. Time for theories and consultations have long passed it is time

for action now.

The IFPYB promotes the active participation of young people in sport,

recreation and leisure. To this end, the IFPYB recognises the need for

effective organisation and co-ordination, the development of facilities and

access by young people to these facilities, the provision of services (e.g.

training and guidance) and the involvement of all sectors (i.e. government,

community and the private sector) in these endeavours.

KwaZulu-Natal has a rich and diverse cultural background. This should serve

as a source of pride in our heritage and development for youth. Young

people should be encouraged at every opportunity to develop their creative

and artistic abilities.

The IFPYB seeks to promote a multi-sectoral approach to youth affairs. It

is recognised that many needs and problems experienced by young people

require a holistic and comprehensive response. Leaving such a response to

unco-ordinated efforts of various government ministries would defeat the

purpose and severely undermine all efforts of effective youth development.

For this reason, the IFPYB sees the need, recognising the limitations of

this House, for the establishment of a ministry of youth affairs within the

Office of the President to be headed by, at least, a deputy minister. In

the provinces, while a fully-fledged ministry is desirable, however, for

reasons of affordability, the IFPYB would settle for an autonomous bureau

for youth affairs to be located within the office of each provincial

premier.

The national ministry and the provincial bureau should be responsible for

the design, co-ordination and implementation of youth development programmes

in their respective areas of competence. The President and the provincial

premiers should be champions of matters affecting this sector of society.

The major functions of the national ministry as well as the provincial

bureau would be the following:

policy development and review in all matters related to youth affairs

· the promotion of collaborative efforts within relevant

government ministries

· the promotion of collaborative efforts between all NGO's

dealing with youth affairs and the government and any other relevant

stake-holders

· the implementation and monitoring of youth programmes and

initiatives

· design and maintenance of an effective interface between the

government and the non-government sector

· collection and distribution of any research and information

related to youth affairs and youth programmes

We thank you.

Contact: