10 October 2006

By Sipho None

THE Gauteng Youth Commission's new commissioners are to be introduced to the youngsters of the West Rand, when they will explain the commission's programmes.

So says Lefty Njotini, the youth development officer in the Office of the Speaker of the West Rand District Municipality. An imbizo will be held at the Munsieville Community Hall on 4 November, where the commission's chairperson, Lebogang Maile, is expected to address participants.

The executive mayor of the West Rand, Faith Matshikiza, and officials from the South African Local Government Association are also expected to attend.

"The Gauteng Youth Commission is looking forward to reaching out to young people in the province through the 'youth imbizos'. It is through these imbizos that the mandate of the provincial meetings will be relayed to young people in the region," Njotini said.

Among other outcomes, the imbizos are expected to set up a platform for young people and the government to communicate.

"Most importantly, the imbizos will be used as platforms to explain to young people the commission's mandate, role and programmes, and find out from young people how they can work together with the government to fast track issues around youth development in their respective areas," Njotini said.

The imbizos are the first leg of an outreach programme the commission wants to conduct throughout the province. The programme is expected to be complete by the end of the commissioners' terms of office in 2009.

The National Youth Commission is a statutory body established in June 1996. It is based in the Office of the Deputy President and its objectives, among others, include co-ordinating and developing an integrated National Youth Policy, and developing an integrated national plan that utilises available resources and expertise for the development of young women and men.

According to chapter nine of the National Youth Policy, local government is the most direct level of government affecting young men and women. It provides essential services along with a mechanism for promoting leadership, policy planning and development efforts.

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