Deputy Speaker, as the recent elections have displayed, the youth of South Africa are dynamic, opinionated and energetic. They have claimed their space in our society and, in doing so, they have made a significant contribution towards democracy in our country. This is why the ID believes that we must use their inspiration, abilities and energy to help us build South Africa's tomorrow.
The ID welcomes the establishment of the National Youth Development Agency to tackle economic issues and the establishment of the Department of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities. We call on government to ensure that these initiatives are prevented from becoming as dysfunctional as the National Youth Commission and extend a call on government to investigate incentives for businesses which employ the youth as first-time jobseekers. These interventions will go a long way in equipping our youth with the necessary skills and experience which will make them more employable for the future.
The daily challenges and barriers facing our youth must become the central focus of our new government. The ID would also like to see the government focus not only on the economic challenges that affect the youth, but also on the social. The youth still have the highest infection rate of HIV and Aids. Many are also affected by the death of family and the resulting burden of heading households. We hope that the new government shall focus on these challenges with the urgency and the importance they deserve.
The ID applauds the fact that greater attention has been focused on admission to tertiary institutions in terms of transformation. The ID would also like government to look at implementing more integration programmes to bridge the many divides that exist within our tertiary institutions.
The ID is looking forward to participating in the first National Youth Conference on Youth Day. We hope that this initiative will enable the youth to make an even more significant contribution towards nation-building under the fourth democratic government. I thank you. [Applause.]