Strengthening South Africa: Budget Vote Address 2024/25 by Sindisiwe Chikunga

Sindisiwe Chikunga presented a budget vote address that focused on empowering youth, women, and persons with disabilities. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has been revamped, and the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) has been established to address youth unemployment. Financial empowerment is a key strategy, and initiatives have been launched to encourage women-led Cooperative Finance Institutions (CFIs). The department is also committed to addressing gender-based violence and fulfilling its international responsibilities.

Capitalizing on Youth Power: South Africa’s Prime Asset

South Africa’s youth are recognized as the country’s most valuable asset, and their vital contribution to socio-economic advancement is acknowledged. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has been revamped to improve its operational efficiency and governance, while the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) has been initiated to tackle youth unemployment. The department’s strategy centers on empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities through key projects in various sectors.

In the year marking the 70th anniversary of the Women’s Charter, Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, presented a significant address for the 2024/25 budget vote. The speech was a tribute to the trailblazers of women’s rights as well as a rallying cry for the empowerment of youth and persons with disabilities.

The address recognized the influential contributions of activists including Helen Joseph, Lilian Ngoyi, and Dora Tamana. Their relentless struggle for equality helped shape the democratic South Africa we recognize today. Their unwavering quest for justice during apartheid has provided a solid base for the new South Africa, characterized by human rights, dignity, non-racialism, non-sexism, and liberty.

Capitalizing on Youth Power: South Africa’s Prime Asset

Chikunga praised South Africa’s youth, the country’s most valuable asset, and recognized their crucial contribution to socio-economic advancement. In the current year, the South African Youth Development Act, which aims to promote youth development, has been granted a substantial allocation of R2.9 million. This fund will play a crucial role in overseeing the execution of the National Youth Policy.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has also been revamped to improve its operational efficiency and governance. The NYDA, with a significant allocation of R704.3 million, will persist in implementing the reinvigorated National Youth Service (NYS) Programme.

In her seminal address, Chikunga declared the initiation of the South African National Service Institute (SANSI). This institution aims to tackle youth unemployment through a comprehensive strategy of skills training, enterprise evolution, and the encouragement of emerging industries. SANSI is also committed to promoting character development and leadership skills among its participants.

Financial Empowerment: Gateway, Ownership, and Control

Chikunga emphasized the critical importance of financial empowerment, viewing it as an issue of access, ownership, and control. The department’s strategy is centered on empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities through key projects in the agricultural sector, the sustainable economy, and global commerce.

The Minister stressed the importance of financial inclusion and announced the launch of women-led Cooperative Finance Institutions (CFIs). These CFIs are geared towards encouraging self-sustainability, ensuring financial inclusion, and fostering secure environments, which align with the goals of the National Strategic Plan (NSP).

The National Youth Development Agency, with its substantial allocation, will considerably bolster services for the younger generation. The Presidential Employment Stimulus programme, key for job creation and enhancing livelihoods, has created over 1 million opportunities since its inception in 2020, with the majority of beneficiaries being the youth.

GBVF: Addressing a National Calamity

Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) is a national catastrophe and the department is dedicated to addressing it with the severity it deserves. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently approved the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) Bill. This marks a critical milestone in improving accountability and leadership within the government and society.

Global Commitments: Fulfilling Responsibilities

Despite limited resources, South Africa has fulfilled all its international responsibilities towards women, youth, and persons with disabilities. South Africa has successfully hosted the BRICS Women Ministers Meetings, initiated the formation of a Women’s Working Group during its chairing of the G20, and is in the process of developing the National Review Report on the Beijing Platform for Action.

Budget Allocation for the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities

The total appropriation for the department for the 2024/25 fiscal year remains at R1 billion, which includes R797.8 million for transfer to the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and NYDA. However, Chikunga firmly expressed the necessity for a budget increase, arguing that the current allocation will not suffice to fulfill their extensive mandate.

In this significant address, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga highlights the importance of financial empowerment and the continued commitment to equality. The call to action is loud and clear – to ensure that the benefits of liberation and freedom are experienced by all.

1. What was the focus of Sindisiwe Chikunga’s budget vote address?

Sindisiwe Chikunga’s budget vote address focused on empowering youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

2. What initiatives have been launched to address youth unemployment?

The South African National Service Institute (SANSI) has been initiated to tackle youth unemployment.

3. What is the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and what has been done to improve its efficiency and governance?

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) aims to promote youth development and has been revamped to improve its operational efficiency and governance.

4. How is the department committed to addressing gender-based violence?

The department is dedicated to addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) with the severity it deserves. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently approved the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) Bill.

5. What is the budget allocation for the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities?

The total appropriation for the department for the 2024/25 fiscal year remains at R1 billion, which includes R797.8 million for transfer to the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and NYDA.

6. What is the significance of financial empowerment in the department’s strategy?

The department’s strategy centers on empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities through key projects in various sectors, with a focus on financial empowerment as an issue of access, ownership, and control. The Ministry has launched women-led Cooperative Finance Institutions (CFIs) to encourage self-sustainability and financial inclusion.