Tswelopele Manabile, a youth adviser of the premier, says they are trying to build a society that will become responsive to the national development plan and basic community needs. She further said among the discussions were the Grade 9 General Certificate of Education (GEC), sexual education, drug abuse, gender-based violence and crime prevention, which sparked heated debates.

“The youth needs to be patriotic and morally driven. Effective youth development offices in municipalities, the provincial government that speaks and responds to the needs of the youth, a national government department that will play an oversight role to ensure opportunities are given to the youth, is what is needed.”

One institution that came to light is the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) - particularly whether is it doing enough or has the capacity to respond to all the needs of the youth. The feeling was that NYDA needs to be capacitated, and more youth development agencies should be created. The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) came to light as well. The question was whether it assists youth businesses or only established businesses. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was also mentioned as part of economic transformation, and the house said the EPWP is not a job, but a skills development programme.

“We also have to conform to the fourth industrial revolution as we are moving towards a paperless generation”.

Manabile said they will be visiting four other regions of Free State; the Lejweleputswa, Gariep, Fezile Dabi and Thabo Mofutsanyane districts, to receive input from all the youth of the Free State before consolidating a report for the national parliament for the renewal of the old policy.

OFM News/Marvin Ntsane