Thank you, hon Speaker. Hon members, the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, has presented before Parliament its three-year strategic plan and annual performance plan, focusing on key performance areas. These include economic participation, training and development, national youth service and social cohesion, youth advisory and information services, policy, research and development, as well as the National Youth Fund. This programme was agreed upon at the inception of the NYDA. It also served before the Joint Monitoring Committee on Children, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
Based on the programmes and interventions outlined in the strategic and annual performance plans of the agency, it is certainly apparent that the NYDA is serving the needs of young people. It is important to highlight that, since its inception, the NYDA has made significant inroads in dealing with the challenges that continue to face young people in the country.
Among other things, the following have been realised: sustaining 61 341 employment opportunities; training 49 341 young people in entrepreneurship; training 84 205 young people in the National Youth Service programme, thus promoting entrepreneurship and patriotism amongst the youth; issuing 24 062 loans, valued at R60,4 million, to young people; facilitating business opportunities, valued at R142,8 million, for young people; and providing information to over 1,5 million young people through their various access points, including the call centre and its 144 local youth offices.
The NYDA's annual report for the 2010-11 financial year will be presented to Parliament this month, and the hon member will be able to access more specific information in the report.
Notwithstanding these achievements by the NYDA, amid budgetary constraints and related matters, more remains to be done in the quest to concretely develop young people to play a more pronounced role in all sectors of our society.
As must be acknowledged, the NYDA's achievements are but a drop in the ocean if we consider the many challenges facing young people in our country.
To support the NYDA in achieving its noble objectives, we call upon civil society, the private sector and all sectors of our society to join hands with government in prioritising youth development in their plans, including establishing youth directorates, as outlined in the National Youth Policy of 2009 to 2014. These directorates will foster seamless integration of youth development in the country.
Hon member, there is already a Minister responsible for youth development in Cabinet - the Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency. I thank you, hon Speaker. [Applause.]