Youth life is one of the nationally appointed Implementing Partners that will navigate the landscape of Phase 5 of the revitalized National Youth Service Programme in eight (8) provinces of South Africa.

Why do we need a National Youth Service programme?

There is a vast array of diverse young people ready and yearning to serve their community/country. Youth service plays a role in civic responsibility, in developing a common identity, recovery and rehabilitation and nation building. This is a passionate and idealistic generation that sees the emergency, wants to serve those around them.

There is a wealth of work for them to do in public schools reigniting forgotten after school programs, in tackling societal issues such as alcohol, substance abuse and GBV as we are building social solidarity in their communities.

There is also an opportunity to crowd in private sector and civil society investment in a broader social compact around service. The number of young people wanting to participate in service programs always exceeds the available slots. We would want to encourage in each new generation the habits of work, the taste for adventure, and a sense of duty.

PYEI (Presidential Youth Employment intervention)

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) is a part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme. PYEI is a multi-sector action plan/ programme directed at addressing South Africa’s chronic youth unemployment challenge. Of the 4.7 million young people entering the labour market each year, more than 65% remain outside of employment, education, and training. Those young people who manage to access opportunities tend to zigzag on often broken pathways, falling in and out of education and short-term work so that they cannot realize their potential to participate in the economy.

The PYEI has identified several priority interventions to accelerate youth pathways into the economy over the next five years, including the establishment of a National Pathway Management Network, delivery of agile workforce development, support for youth self- employment and enterprise in the township and rural economy, the strengthening of workplace experience, and the Presidential Youth Service programme. The PYEI has identified several priority interventions to accelerate youth pathways into the economy. 

NYDA (National Youth Development Agency)

The NYDA is a South African-based agency established primarily to address challenges faced by the nation’s youth. The Agency was established by an Act of Parliament (Act 54 of 2008). The institution was established to be a single, unitary structure addressing youth development issues at National, Provincial and Local Government level. The Agency should be seen within the broad context of South Africa’s development dynamics.

The NYDA with the support of the Office of the Presidency, can create the political will and momentum within Government, to allow the Integrated Youth Development Strategy to gain the traction that is required for successful implementation. The opportunity to influence what other Departments are doing in the youth development space, must be driven quite strongly by both the NYDA and the Presidency.