Executive Summary
The National Youth Policy 2009–2014 is an essential planning tool guiding the country on its approach to youth development. In this policy document are inherent commitments by government; young South Africans; and society at large on interventions and services that would have to be rolled out to ensure effective and efficient mainstreaming of our youth development in the socio-economic mainstream. This Executive Summary provides a brief synopsis of the processes followed in formulation of this policy where key policy gaps and over-arching policy interventions were identified.
The drafting of the NYP entailed an extensive and rigorous process of ensuring collation of relevant and appropriate data on the status of youth, assessment of targeted youth interventions in post democratic South Africa, and analyzing the prevailing gaps in relation to new and persisting challenges that continue to plague some of our youth.
From the assessments made, the team that developed this policy identified the interventions that are necessary for development of youth. As with any public policy formulation process, there was extensive engagement with stakeholders such as government departments, youth organizations, broader civil society organizations, NEDLAC, and the broader public through advertisement and publication of the policy in the public domain. The issues raised from all these dialogues and consultation process were incorporated in the final draft. It is from all these processes, that Government is now able to present this policy for approval.
The context and rationale for the policy are informed by the fact that, like in many African countries, a significant component of the South African population is characterised by people under the age of 35. This presents ample opportunity for the youth to contribute towards the growth and development of the country.
In focusing on the needs of young South Africans, the policy highlights priority target groups that include young women, youth with disabilities, unemployed youth, school aged-out-of-school youth, youth in rural areas, and youth at risk. The policy further supports the key interventions that will provide for holistic development of youth. The four pillars upon which the policy proposes specific interventions are education, health and well being, economic participation and social cohesion. The recommendations that have resulted from each of these themes will feed into programme and project design. It is hoped that this will encourage the inclusion and active participation of young people in decision making processes, policy, programme and project implementation.
It is acknowledged that for the successful implementation of the policy, social partnerships will have to be strengthened. The best way to do so is to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the key role players and to determine the basis for such partnerships. On the other hand, government will ensure the successful implementation of the policy through intergovernmental coordination. Given this objective, it would also be important that capacity within the youth sector is strengthened. It is hoped that recognition of youth work as a profession will strengthen capacity whilst promoting provision of quality services.
As part of the effort to promote policy implementation, an implementation plan will be developed thus specifying the responsibility of identified role players towards youth development.
PANIHATI CHHATRASHAKTI 