By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
30 June 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities said it has informed the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) that there is an urgent need for the agency to enhance its effectiveness in combating youth unemployment and to ensure that its programmes reach out to the most marginalised young people across the country.
The committee raised concerns about youth development initiatives, the appointment of a new board, and the overall effectiveness of the NYDA in addressing the challenges faced by young people in South Africa.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Liezl van der Merwe said the committee received a briefing from the agency on its annual performance plan and strategic objectives for the 2025/26 financial year. Van der Merwe said during the briefing, the committee expressed a serious concern regarding the high youth unemployment rate and highlighted the need for the NYDA to implement strategies that are aimed at creating job opportunities for young South Africans.
“They also called for the agency to forge partnerships with local municipalities. The committee also engaged the agency on the delayed appointment of the agency’s new board. Members of the committee voiced their frustration over the absence of a permanent board and urged the executive authority to expedite the appointment process to ensure continuity in youth development initiatives.
“The committee also stressed the need to fill vacancies within the NYDA. The committee argued that the vacant positions are vital for improving the agency’s capacity to deliver on its mandate,” she said.
Van der Merwe further said the committee urged the agency to prioritise the recruitment of skilled personnel to better serve the youth and enhance the effectiveness of its programmes. She added that the committee expressed its concern on how the existing vacancies impact ongoing initiatives and the agency’s overall goals.
“Members requested a timeline on when these positions would be filled. In addition to these concerns, the committee asked for detailed information regarding the NYDA’s outreach programmes and their effectiveness.
“Members sought clarity on the frequency and scope of outreach initiatives, as well as the metrics used to measure their success. It requested the agency to provide a comprehensive report on the outcomes of the previous outreach efforts, including any challenges faced and lessons learned,” said van der Merwe.
She said funding was another matter that arose during the discussions. Van der Merwe said the committee addressed the agency’s funding sources and financial management.
“Members requested a detailed breakdown of the donor-funded income and the Presidential Youth Employment Fund, questioning how effectively these funds are being utilised to achieve the intended outcomes.
“The committee emphasised the need for transparency in financial reporting. Furthermore, the committee urged the agency to ensure that funds are directed towards impactful programmes that benefit young people,” she said.
Van der Merwe said the committee requested reports from the NYDA include a detailed breakdown of the donor-funded income. She said this includes the Presidential Youth Employment Fund, the segregated data regarding the impact of youth programmes, specifically demographics such as gender and disability and clarity on the operational strategies and outreach initiatives being implemented, especially in rural communities.
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