Western Cape Violence Against Children; National Youth Commission
Meeting Summary
A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.
Meeting report
JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
19 September 2000
WESTERN CAPE VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN; NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION
Chairperson: Ms H Bogopane (ANC)
Relevant documents:
South African National Youth Commission 2000: Organisational Overview (see Appendix 1)
SUMMARY
The committee discussed the recent spate of violent acts against children in the Western Cape, and formulated a response and a press statement regarding this. As a result of this discussion, the need was identified for the committee to be briefed by the Departments of Welfare and Justice and the SAPS on the realities encountered by children and that further proposals for action would be formulated on the basis of these briefings. Visits would be made to the affected families, communities and investigating police stations. A statement would be released expressing the committee’s outrage and indicating that the committee would be briefed on the issues and would formulate policy accordingly.
The new commissioners of the National Youth Commission were introduced and reported back on their strategic planning process. Their key objectives are:
· Develop an integrated National Youth Policy
· Develop principles, guidelines and recommendations regarding the implementation of the National Youth Policy
· Co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Youth Policy
Implement measures to redress the imbalance of the past relating to various forms of disadvantage suffered by young people generally or specific groups of young people
· Promote uniformity of approach by all organs of state, including provincial governments, to matters relating to young people.
· Maintain close liaison and promote co-operation with institutions, or authorities similar to the NYC to foster common policies and practises
The Committee’s upcoming study tour to Germany was also discussed.
MINUTES
Status Of Children In The Western Cape
The Chair asked the committee for ideas as to what initiatives the committee, as leaders and decision-makers, can take to ease the plight of the children who are dying daily in the Western Cape as a result of violence and abuse.
Mr Morkel (NNP) raised the concern that it is not only the children of the Western Cape that are in danger. He stated that without accurate statistics from the SAPS regarding child abuse and crimes directed at children (rape, murder and abduction) it is impossible to debate this issue. He stated that he had made attempts to obtain these statistics, but was told that although they were available within the SAPS, these figures were not available to members of the public for the year 2000 by instruction of the Minister. He continued that the NNP has specific proposals which he would like to outline to the committee.
The Chair replied that there was a need for the committee to develop a strategy for dealing with the broader situation and these statistics would be essential to this task. However the item on this meeting’s agenda was to formulate a response from the committee to the abduction and killing of children in the Western Cape that had occurred in the past few weeks. The larger issue will require strategic planning and a long-term implementation. Certain abuses in the Western Cape as highlighted in the media need an immediate response - in the past two weeks, ten children have been killed by gunshot. This needs a response through the media from the committee.
Mr Morkel asked for the opportunity to make constructive proposals towards a response. He presented as follows:
· The need for co-operation between sectors (Community Policing Forums, SAPS and Community) needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
· Active community participation is key to the success of any intervention.
· The Criminal Justice System and the Social Welfare System is currently inadequately resourced to deal with the problem.
· The NNP proposes that concerned community members become vigilant, using their Community Policing Forums and Neighbourhood Watches rather than forming vigilante groups.
· Special committees of the Community Policing Forums be set up to act as Child Protection Units.
The NNP recommends a review of the following policy issues:
· No bail allowed for child abuse suspects
· Maximum sentences imposed for child abusers
· No possibility of parole for child abusers
· A database of sex crime offenders be set up - including DNA samples
· The death penalty be re-instituted for child abusers.
· Child neglect by parents/guardians to carry a criminal sentence
· Compulsory extra-mural activities be offered by schools
· Children only be allowed to be collected from school by a parent or nominated guardian.
The community should undertake the following:
· Children should be made aware of the dangers in society and of the threat they currently face
· Parents should be encouraged to ensure that they know the whereabouts of their children at all times
· Children should not be allowed to play alone
· Children should be supervised during their travel to and from school.
The Chair interrupted Mr Morkel at this point, stating that his presentation was not practical for the purposes of this discussion, which was to identify key elements to be included in a press statement in response to the crisis.
Ms Nkuna (ANC, Northern Province) asked that the Department of Justice and the SAPS be invited to brief the committee on this issue. She was concerned for the community as these kinds of acts can only be perpetrated by someone who is not operating with a sound mind. She underlined that it was essential that parents know where their children are at all times.
Mr Gigaba (ANC) suggested that the press statement should be short as without a substantive briefing from the SAPS and the Departments of Justice and Welfare, the committee would be unable to make a detailed statement. He stressed the urgency of the briefing. The press statement should express the committee’s outrage at the inhuman activities which have been happening, calling for a co-ordinated response from the Community Policing Forums and relevant departments and asking for the community to be on the alert and to protect all children. It should indicate the committee’s intention to be briefed by relevant government structures and on the basis of this briefing to formulate further proposals and communications. He asked that the briefing reports be very thorough, including statistics on numbers of children at school, child labourers, nutrition and child grants, and indicating whether the quality of life for our children as improved in any way.
Ms Rajbansi (MP) suggested that the Child Protection Units be questioned as to what problems are being encountered in this arena. The urgency of the situation needs to be taken back to grass-root level, with the community being educated and woken up as to the extent of the threat. Children are the responsibility of everyone, and their protection is not only the job of the SAPS and other services, but of the community as a whole.
Mr Raju (DP, KwaZulu-Natal) stated that this is a serious problem, and that the outrage and condemnation of the committee must be highlighted. These desperate times require desperate remedies, and the committee must look at innovative ideas to aid the response of the departments. A major area of concern has to be the area outside of schools where there is no proper supervision for children as a result of their parents being at work the whole day. There is a serious lack of facilities and pastime activities. There is also a mixed perception regarding sexual activity as a result of the openness encouraged as a way of dealing with HIV/AIDS - with condoms being distributed freely. Adults have to take responsibility to impart sound morals to their children. The press statement expressing outrage at both the acts and the minimal sentences being passed. Sentences should be a deterrent to criminals. The committee needs to call for a briefing and innovative solutions involving the community.
Mr Gigaba stated that he did not feel it appropriate to include a call for the return of the death penalty in the press statement, as all parties did not agree to this. He added that he did not agree that the statement should criticise sentences passed, as this was meant to be a committee response to the crisis of child abuse rather than a committee response to sentencing practices. Although the committee would agree with this concern regarding the recent sentences passed, he thought that the committee could find a more constructive method of addressing this. He suggested that committee members undertake visits to the affected families, communities and the investigating SAPS stations.
Mr Morkel added that he felt that the abuses against children were inextricably linked to the proliferation of pornography, and that this is indicative of the decay of the moral fibre of society. He added that it was not parents who were allowing children to be influenced by this but that websites offering this kind of material had proliferated to the extent that children have free access to pornography.
The Chair undertook to write the press statement. She summarised the main points raised by committee members:
· Expression of outrage on the part of the committee
· Visits to be undertaken to the families
· Policy revision to help address the task of protecting children
· Programs to be investigated with other Departments
· Status of children to be examined in detail from all aspects
· Minimum sentencing to be discussed
· Legislation related to child abuse to be examined in detail
· NGO consultancy to be encouraged to address the issues.
Mr Raju asked that the issue of recreational facilities be included in this list as the responsibility for addressing this need is constantly being passed between the Ministry of Sport and Public Works. He felt that the lack of these facilities is paramount to being able to solve the problem of keeping children safe.
National Youth Commission
The Chair welcomed the National Youth Commission and congratulated them on their appointment. They introduced themselves as follows:
|
Yoliswa Makhasi |
Deputy Chairperson |
Eastern Province |
|
Lwasi Mboyi |
CEO |
Eastern Province |
|
Jabu Mbalula |
Chairperson |
|
|
Daniel van Vuuren |
Commissioner |
Free State |
|
Ngwanakope Ramushu |
Commissioner |
|
|
Paul Johnson |
Communications Director |
Western Cape |
Commissioner Nketu Matima was attending the bi-national meeting in Algeria.
The NYC were asked to share with the committee the process and product of their process of responsibility definition. The Chair reminded the Committee that the Youth Policy Document is the NYC’s guiding document, and asked the NYC to indicate what should be looked at when developing key performance indicators for the commissioners.
The Commission presented their Organisational Overview document highlighting the following as their objectives and functions:
·
Develop an integrated National Youth Policy
·
Develop principles, guidelines and recommendations regarding the implementation of the National Youth Policy
·
Co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Youth Policy
·
Implement measures to redress the imbalance of the past relating to various forms of disadvantage suffered by young people generally or specific groups of young people
·
Promote uniformity of approach by all organs of state, including provincial governments, to matters relating to young people.
Maintain close liaison and promote co-operation with institutions, or authorities similar to the NYC to foster common policies and practises
The Commission identified the following flagship programs as forming the core of the NYC’s work for the current term:
Youth Service Progress Programme including the following pilot programmes
·
Providing access to public buildings for people with disabilities
·
Youth breaking the back of illiteracy
·
HIV/AIDS
·
Youth and the Environment
·
Infrastructure
·
National Youth Information Service
·
Youth HIV/AIDS Programme
·
Young Positive Living Ambassadors Programme
·
Youth Economic Participation Strategy
·
Young Prisoners’ Programme
·
The Interdepartmental Committee on Youth Affairs
Additional projects of the NYC were:
·
Youth Sector Capacity-Building Programme
·
Local Government Research & Advocacy Project
·
International Relations
·
Youth Advocacy
·
Youth Media Counselling
Discussion
Mr Dithebe (ANC), referring to the stated objectives of the NYC and the reference to ‘organs of state’, questioned whether this was an implicit reference to local government in order to prioritise local government as the area where implementation happens. He requested the exact locations of the pilot projects as a way of facilitating participation by committee members in the relevant areas. He asked about the possibility of publishing the Youth Booklet in languages other than English as this would facilitate better understanding among recipients.
Ms Rajbansi asked for clarity regarding the extent to which the Commission has succeeded in becoming established in the community, and asked what the reaction is of the youth in these communities to the NYC. She asked what bodies have been established to spread the NYC’s work as it was her opinion that youth were reluctant to engage with issues as a result of a lack of motivation at community level.
Ms Nkuna (ANC) asked whether a relationship exists with established NGOs and to what extent these relationships are proving successful.
Mr Raju stated that he was impressed by the presentation, congratulating the NYC. He asked whether the Commission envisaged holding workshops to facilitate political tolerance during the upcoming elections as this is key to the functioning of a multi-party democracy. He also asked what the relationship was between the NYC and student bodies in tertiary institutions, particularly with regard to student welfare, fees, standards and accommodation.
The Commission replied as follows:
- The NYC intends to promote a uniform approach throughout government, aiming for participation with local government as there is currently insufficient work done at local government level for youth development.
- The NYC has a good working relationship with NGOs, and this relationship has been successful for capacity building. Areas where this has been particularly successfully used is in the HIV/AIDS programme. One problem with this is that the NGOs expect the NYC to provide funds for their programmes, which the NYC is not able to do.
- The NYC is working for civic education of the youth, and the concept of political tolerance forms part of this banner. The NYC is working with both the IEC and the Demarcation Board to inform youth, and a workshop is being held with national youth organisations relating to the elections. A programme is also in place with the Education Department to introduce civic education into schools.
- With regard to community involvement and student organisations, projects have been planned in concert with the communities that they will benefit, and these have been successful with partnerships having been built.
Ms Witbooi (NNP, Western Cape) asked whether there are any plans to broaden the HIV/ AIDS programme to all nine provinces?
The NYC replied that this was planned, and that they were working with the Health Department to implement this. Pilots were undertaken in rural and urban settings to ensure the adaptability and suitability of the programme.
Mr Willem (ANC, Eastern Cape) asked what was being done to ensure that youth in the rural areas benefited from the work of the Commission?
The NYC stated that they were specifically running programmes in the rural areas to ensure this, and that their bias is toward ensuring the inclusion of the rural youth.
Mr Morkel asked whether the Commission would be seen at Parliament during sessions relating to youth legislation. He also asked whether the NYC had been party to talks regarding the re-introduction of conscription.
The Chair reminded members that the NYC has a parliamentary office. She asked the NYC to look into the role that they would like to see the committee playing. She also asked for proposals regarding information sharing between the two bodies, so that the relationship does not become a once-a-year summoning to the committee. She indicated that a follow-up meeting would be held with the CEO. She thanked the NYC and wished them well in their efforts.
Study Tour to Germany
Thirteen committee members are to undertake a study tour to Germany The following members will be attending:
Mr B Willem: ANC Tour Leader
Assistant to Mr Willem
Committee Clerk: Tour Administrator
Ms M Maine: ANC
Mr L Nzimande: ANC
Assistant to Mr Nzimande
Mr V Gore: DP
Assistant to Mr Gore
Mr B Mkhaliphi: ANC
Mr T Setona: ANC
Mr Raju: DP
The Chair reminded the NNP to submit their attendees to the committee clerk
The meeting closed at 12h20.
Appendix 1:
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION 2000 ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW
VISION
A future for young women and men in a democratic, non-sexist, non-racist, united, peaceful and prosperous society where young people can enjoy a full and abundant life enabling them to become active participants in activities which fulfill their potential, hopes, dreams and ambitions and are able to participate fully in economic, social, cultural and political life.
MISSION
Co-ordinate & promote the development of young people through the design and implementation of an integrated National Youth Policy and youth development plan by ensuring inter-ministerial, intersectoral and inter-governmental collaboration for the advancement of young people.
The NYC was inaugurated by President Nelson Mandela on 16 June 1996 in terms of the National Youth Commission Act. It was established to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing young people in South Africa.
NYC LOCATION
The NYC is located in the Office of the Presidency where it falls under the political oversight of the Minister in the Office of the Presidency
The location of the NYC is meant to underline its overarching role in dealing with youth issues with any government agency
THE COMMISSION
The NYC consists of 5 Commissioners appointed by the President for a term of 3 years each
The Commission is led by Chairperson Jabu Mbalula who is responsible for overall co-ordination of the work of Commissioners
The terms of reference for the work of Commissioners derive from the National Youth Commission Act and are articulated as objectives and functions in the NYC’s 2000 Program Plan
NYC SECRETARIAT
·
In addition to its policy-making body, the NYC is supported by a secretariat providing technical and administrative support
·
The organisation’s functions are broadly divided into Policy & Programmes, Communications and Management Services divisions
·
The Secretariat is headed by Chief Executive Officer Lwazi Mboyi who is also the NYC’s Accounting Officer
Objectives & functions
·
Develop an integrated National Youth Policy
·
Develop principles, guidelines & recommendations regarding the implementation of the National Youth Policy
·
Co-ordinate & monitor the implementation of the Youth Policy
·
Implement measures to redress imbalances of the past relating to various forms of disadvantage suffered by young people generally or specific groups of young people
·
Promote uniformity of approach by all organs of state, including provincial governments, to matters relating to young people
·
Maintain close liaison and promote co-operation with institutions, or authorities similar to the NYC to foster common policies and practices
YOUTH POLICY 2000
·
The development and implementation of the National Youth Policy is a key mandate of the NYC Act
·
The NYC announced on its inception it hoped to have a youth policy ready for South Africa by the start of 1998 – it was completed in November 1997
·
The consultation process for Youth Policy 2000 involved representatives of over 1 000 000 young people
·
The NYP sets a comprehensive national framework for all work in the area of youth development and sets mandates for all relevant agencies in this regard
A MODEL FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
·
In addition to its policy-making body, the NYC is supported by a secretariat providing technical and administrative support
·
The organisation’s functions are broadly divided into Policy & Programmes, Communications and Management Services divisions
·
The Secretariat is headed by Chief Executive Officer Lwazi Mboyi who is also the NYC’s Accounting Officer
NYC FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS
The 1st National Planning Meeting convened by the new Commission with Provincial Youth Commissions narrowed the NYC’s ongoing activities to 4 key priority programs.
These have been accepted as the NYC’s flagship projects, forming the core of NYC programmatic work in this current term. They are as follows:
·
National Youth Service Program
·
National Youth Information Service
·
Youth HIV-AIDS Program
·
National Youth Economic Participation
NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMME (NYSP)
The Youth Policy calls for an NYSP proposal based on four distinct themes:
·
development – applying & developing the skills of young people on development projects
·
skills training – creating opportunities for new experiences and skills for young people
·
service – promoting youth voluntarism for the benefit of the broader community;
·
national unity – allowing young people to work together in a spirit of reconciliation and unity.
YOUTH SERVICE PROGRESS
·
The White Paper on National Youth Service has been submitted to the Office of the Presidency for discussion by Cabinet and departmental clusters
·
Indications are there is broad feasibility support for the programmatic model proposed in the White Paper
·
5 service projects have been identified for the National Youth Service Pilots
National Youth Service Pilots 1
Providing Access To Public Buildings For People With Disabilities
Involving trained young people in the upgrading of government-owned buildings that lack adequate access and facilities for disabled persons in urban and rural areas
Location of project:
KwaZulu Natal; Eastern Cape; Northern Province
Additional:
This is the first pilot project and is already in the process of being launched in partnership with the Department of Public Works.
National Youth Service Pilots 2
Youth breaking the back of illiteracy
Involving youth service participants in literacy-related activities
Location of project:
KwaZulu Natal; Free State; Gauteng
Participants:
Students and unemployed young people with a grade 12 qualification
60 unemployed young people in each province (to reach 1200 adult learners)
240 higher education students (40 each from 6 institutions)
National Youth Service Pilots 3
HIV/AIDS
Involving young people in HIV/AIDS awareness workshops and training about how to support people with HIV/AIDS and promoting a culture of non-discrimination and openness about HIV/AIDS
Location of project:
Gauteng; Mpumalanga
Participants:
Unemployed young people
60 participants allocated to 6 community centres (3 centres per province) identified in conjunction with local government and the Department of Health
National Youth Service Pilots 4
Youth and the environment
Involving young people in environmental-related activities, including water and electricity audits; waste management; food production and the greening of schools
Location of project:
Western Cape; North West
Participants:
Unemployed young people and students
160 unemployed young people (80 per province)
Students at Grade 10 level
National Youth Service Pilots 5
Infrastructure
Involving young people in the construction of rental stock housing and school upgrading programs (with a focus on rural schools). The Rental Stock Housing Program is already a funded program of the Department of Housing.
Location of project:
KwaZulu Natal; Eastern Cape; Northern Province; Mpumalanga
NATIONAL YOUTH INFORMATION SERVICE (YIS)
Launched by the NYC in June 1998, YIS comprises a toll-free Youth Line providing information to 65000 young people a month on HIV/AIDS, career and academic development and youth rights and responsibilities.
Youth Information Services
South Africa’s Youth Information Gateway
Partnerships with SABC’s Jika Jika and Take 5 TV programs have boosted Youth Line’s usage by young people dramatically beyond the NYC’s initial expectations of 8000 monthly calls. YIS now averages 65000 calls a month.
Youth-Line reached an all-time high in November 1999 when it received 121 000 calls from young people or their parents.
The NYC’s own communications initiatives have taken information on the YIS into the heart of rural communities.
Youth HIV/AIDS Program
Rather than relying on generic HIV/AIDS messages, this project reaches out to young people through other young people and their specific experiences
·
A capacity-building & training initiative for youth organisations & leaders is being piloted by the NYC
·
NYC-initiated Young Positive Living Ambassadors’ Projects have been running in provinces the KZN pilot in December 1998
YOUNG POSITIVE LIVING AMBASSODORS PROJECT
The YPLA is a group of young people living with HIV-AIDS engaged in the NYC’s grassroots HIV-AIDS peer communication pilot campaign. Working directly in educating other young people, they provide positive images of young people living and coping with HIV-AIDS whilst imparting key information on prevention as well.
The YPLA Pilot Program has been running successfully in KwaZulu Natal since December 1998
In December 1999, the Program was expanded into the Free State as well. Since then, YPLA’s have been launched by the NYC in the Northern Province and Mpumalanga as well. Most recently, the Eastern Cape has indicated an intention of taking up the program provincially
YOUTH ECONOMIC PARTICIPATIVE PROGRAMME
·
The National Youth Economic Participation Strategy, developed in conjunction with Department of Labour and Ntsika Enterprises, is currently undergoing final review by the NYC before its public relaunch this year.
·
In accordance with the prescriptions of the National Youth Policy, the Strategy composes of a Youth Employment Strategy, with Department of Labour as the NYC’s primary partner, as well as a Youth Enterprise Strategy, developed primarily in conjunction with Ntsika Enterprises.
·
Discussions are currently underway between the NYC and its partner agencies to ensure the launch of pilot programs identified in the Strategy by the end of this year.
·
In the meantime, the NYC has secured funding for the establishment of the National Youth Employment Clearing House stipulated in the National Youth Policy. The Clearing House will provide information and training support to young women and men interested in small and medium business initiatives. The contract for its management has been awarded to the Joint Enrichment Project (JEP).
Young Prisoners’ Programme
The YPP is a satellite-based education project teaching young inmates small business
And life management skills.
Program objectives:
·
Provide a model for the education and training of young prisoners which will contribute to minimising the recidivism rate of young people in contact with the law
·
Minimise crime by assisting the rehabilitation of young inmates through the provision of focused and specialised training
·
Enable trainees to use the acquired skills and become change agents within their communities
Young Prisoners’ Program Pilot Project
·
The NYC & Correctional Services recently completed the pilot-phase involving 180 young inmates in 3 prisons - Durban, Thohoyandou and Hawequa
·
Focus on 3 areas of training: entrepreneurship skills, life skills and computer skills
·
Seed loans have been set aside for successful graduates upon release
The Inter Departmental Committee on Youth Affairs
The IDC was formed in accordance with the NYC’s mandate to ensure a uniform, coordinated approach to youth development within government
·
The IDC is an ongoing feature of the day-to-day operations of government departments ensuring youth interests are integral to program planning across government
·
Comprising all government departments the IDC is the vehicle through which the Youth Policy is practicalised in the work of government
·
An NYC audit of government departmental work in relation to youth is captured in its annual Guide to Government Youth Programs
IDC FUNCTIONS
·
Co-ordinate a comprehensive national framework of Government services & programs affecting young people
·
Monitor & evaluate government policies, programs, legislation and spending affecting young men and women
·
Facilitate joint planning, review & implementation between departments
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
Youth Sector Capacity-Building Program
Local Government Research & Advocacy Project
International Relations
Youth advocacy
Youth media consulting
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