SACP STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NYDA BOARD
The SACP notes the appointment of the NYDA board and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all seven board members appointed by the President. The SACP particularly congratulates one of its members and National Chairperson of our Young Communist League, Cde Yershen Pillay on his appointment as Chairperson of the Board.
This appointment places major responsibility on cde Pillay's shoulders and the entire Board to recast youth leadership and youth development from what it has come to be in the recent past. Society cannot afford a youth development agenda that is characterized by individualism, a chase for richness through tenders. There are close to 3 million young people between the age of 18-34 who according to studies are not in school, in any training and are not employed.
These young people are looking at institutions like the NYDA to advance their interests. Similarly young people who have graduated and are unemployed are looking at the NYDA for leadership. Those who are employed or are involved in entrepreneurial activity are as well looking at the NYDA for leadership. It is important that the new NYDA board provides balanced leadership to young people in all sectors in a balanced and unifying way.
The elite at the top must never alienate the bulk of youth who the majority is from impoverished backgrounds.
Young women and girls are looking up at institutions like the NYDA to serve and advance their interests in the quest to see a society that respects and upholds their rights and integrity, assures their safety and treat them as equals. Young people who toil for hours in farms, in mining shafts and in factories want to know the reason for existence of the NYDA.
The SACP calls on Cde Yersh and the entire team to respond to these calls by young people. It is about time to build an inclusive youth development agenda that is at the same time biased towards the workers and the poor.
Statement issued by the SACP, March 24 2013
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