National Youth Development Agency: A Leader in Youth Empowerment

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has become a beacon of hope for young South Africans, empowering thousands through various initiatives. The NYDA’s dedication to good governance and achieving desired outcomes is evident from its ninth consecutive clean audit report from the Auditor General of South Africa for the 2022/2023 financial year.

Successful Target Achievements and Entrepreneurship Support

Under the leadership of a female-led board, the NYDA has made significant strides in youth entrepreneurship. Over 34,000 young people received support through non-financial business development interventions, and over 2,300 youth-owned enterprises in the township and rural economy benefited from grant funding. These funded youth-owned enterprises have collectively created over 6,500 jobs.

Revitalization of the National Youth Service Program

The revitalization of the National Youth Service (NYS) program is a notable accomplishment for the NYDA. A collaboration between the Presidency, NYDA, and the Jobs Fund, the revitalized NYS has already seen close to 48,000 young people participating, with over 10,000 transitioning into longer-term employment and enterprise activities. Participants engage in various community service activities, allowing them to serve their communities, earn an income, and increase employability.

Integrated Youth Development Strategy

Approved by the Cabinet in June 2022, the NYDA’s Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS) aims to place young people at the heart of South Africa’s development agenda. The IYDS aligns with the National Development Plan and the National Youth Policy 2030, with five key pillars focused on economic transformation, education and skills development, health, social cohesion, and effective youth development machinery. The IYDS builds relationships, fosters information-sharing, and maximizes impact to ensure the government meets its commitments to the youth.

Transition to a Grant-Based Model

In line with its mission to support young entrepreneurs, the NYDA closed its loan book and transitioned to a grant-based model since 2014. This significant decision lessens the burden on young entrepreneurs, enabling them to address high unemployment levels without the burden of debt.

NYDA’s Efforts to Address Unemployment

Despite economic and social challenges faced by the country, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and increasing cost of living crises, the NYDA remains committed to addressing the systematic and structural issues contributing to South Africa’s unemployment problem. The agency applauds the Gauteng Provincial Government for its intensive campaign on youth employment and urges other provinces to follow suit. Additionally, the NYDA is currently requesting the National Treasury to prioritize the extension of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.

With the support of the Executive Authority, the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Management, and all NYDA employees, the agency’s clean audit outcome reflects its dedication to empowering the youth and combating poverty and inequality. The NYDA is making excellence and progress in youth empowerment, and its initiatives continue to yield positive results for the youth of South Africa.