Chairperson, the ANC-led government and its young democracy have much to celebrate. This includes building a new society, uniting all of our people, expanding opportunities that the new freedom brought to our people, eradicating poverty and improving the quality of life of millions of South Africans.
As reflected in the ANC manifesto, KwaZulu-Natal youth at Eshowe in Mlalazi local municipality have demonstrated their commitment to heed the call of servicing the community through the National Youth Service Programme.
The programme has been initiated and hosted by the Department of Human Settlements in an effort to commemorate the anniversary of the historic 1976 uprising, and also to pursue the departmental programme on mobilisation and engagement on youth matters specifically with regard to human settlements delivery.
Out of a total of 403 housing developments, 76 were built by young people, and 25 of them have officially been handed over by the Minister, hon T Sexwale, to the most elderly beneficiaries. It is also worth noting that the project is part of the Human Settlements programme of eradicating informal settlements and is clustered around the existing social and economic amenities structures.
The ANC wishes to commend the youth stakeholders from the private sector, housing institutions and officials of the department who, in the spirit of Ilima, took part in the project in order to change the lives of people, especially those who were previously marginalised and come mainly from the rural habitat. South African youth have come to serve. Together we can do more. Thank you. [Time expired.]