AfriForum Youth welcomes Lungisa's Omission from NYDA Shortlist
AfriForum Youth today welcomed the omission of Andile Lungisa, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) chairman from the shortlist of candidates for the new chairmanship of the agency.
"Under Lungisa's leadership the NYDA incurred fruitless expenditure during the past financial year amounting to R2 million. In addition, tenders amounting to R500 000 were awarded and R26 million was spent on the World Festival for Youth and Students without following tender procedures. Bonuses amounting to between 17% and 21% of the staff's annual salaries were the order of the day. It is clear that the NYDA has completely lost its ability to be financially sustainable," Charl Oberholzer, AfriForum Youth's National Chairman said.
Allegedly, the decision to omit Lungisa from the shortlist for the position of chairman, is also related to his alliance with Julius Malema and their opposition to the extension of President Zuma's term in the run-up to the Mangaung Conference.
"Institutions such as the NYDA, which have the upliftment of the youth as responsibility, are not supposed to be subjected to political games. Although Lungisa's omission is a positive step, this move also means that preference is given to political association to the detriment of the future of the youth," Oberholzer says.
The obligation the NYDA, as a government institution, has to constantly gain political favour from the ANC is also the reason why the agency is not supporting all population groups when it comes to financing. Turning your back on minorities in South Africa has become a popularity trend within the ANC, and shows why the future of the youth does not lie with government but with civil society.
AfriForum Youth earlier this year submitted a request to the National Treasury and the Auditor General (AG) of South Africa to establish whether the National Youth Development Agency's financial officer is guilty of financial misconduct. Following an urgent letter sent to Collins Chabane, Minister of the Presidency AfriForum Youth was informed that the request would indeed be considered. No further feedback has since been received.
Statement issued by Charl Oberholzer, National Chairman, AfriForum Youth, August 3 2012
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