Two days ago here in KwaZulu-Natal we were deeply honoured to host this year’s National Youth Day in the capital city of Pietermaritzburg which was virtually addressed by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa. under the 2021 theme which is “The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Growing youth employment for an inclusive and transformed society”.

Forty-five years ago the young people of Soweto and other townships took to the streets to protest against the unjust and evil laws of apartheid. For their freedom from oppression, the youth of the time were prepared to sacrifice everything, so that they could be treated as human beings.

Since that historic march so much has happened to change the lives of the people of South Africa. Each time we remember this significant day in our history, it is also therefore to honour the young people whose blood was shed during the clashes with the police, and who became the known and unknown martyrs of our revolution.

Among this 1976 Generation were Khotso Seathlolo, Hector Peterson, Tsietsi Mashinini, Murphy Morobe, Lindiwe Zulu, Sibongile Mkhabela, Ayanda Dlodlo, Seth Mazibuko, Sifiso Buthelezi and many others.

On June 16 each year we pay tribute to these brave warriors who played one of the most defining roles in our response to apartheid. This is the generation that awoke the militancy of our communities across the country against a system that was threatening to overrun us.

We also honour all the young people who following the June 16 Uprising in their numbers fled into exile, filled the ranks of the military wings of our movement all over the world, and returned to face the enemy in several military encounters.

Were it not for this generation, the 80s and 90s generations would not have successfully responded to the call to “Make South Africa Ungovernable and Apartheid Unworkable”. We would not have seen the end of apartheid.

Honourable Speaker, Distinguished Delegates, the 45th anniversary of June 16 should have been a major event, but unfortunately, we face the Covid-19 pandemic which, like the apartheid virus, continues to threaten normal life as we know it.

As the President indicated a few days ago, when he announced that the country would be moving into Level-3, the pandemic remains a reality. We cannot ignore that our country is now recording at least 7500 average daily infections.

Hospital admissions due to COVID-19 are said to be no less than 59 per cent higher than the preceding two weeks. The average number of people who die from COVID-19 each day has increased by at least 48 per cent in the past seven days. In KwaZulu-Natal, we are also experiencing a growing and worrying proportion of positive COVID tests.

According to the latest reports Gauteng is the worst hit among this group, and now accounts for nearly two-thirds of new cases measured recently. There is a valid reason why infections in Gauteng are significant indicators in KwaZulu-Natal as well. KZN and Gauteng are economically tied at the hip being part of the critical trade corridor that runs from the Port of Durban to the country’s economic heartland, and into our neighbouring countries.

As the country’s most popular domestic tourism destination, KwaZulu-Natal attracts travellers from Gauteng who return home or are in search of the coastal climate. When as predicted, Gauteng hits the Third Wave, we will also have reason to worry here in KwaZulu-Natal.

We therefore join the President’s call to remind us that the virus is still here with us and that it is transmitted through human contact. Where this contact is limited, the spread is slowed down. When there is no contact the virus is unable to move and eventually it will die.

Even though we have started with our vaccination drive, maintaining social distance, wearing masks, washing hands regularly with water and soap or sanitiser, are the major weapons we have against Covid-19.

During this Youth Month, like the students of 1976, we are called to sacrifice our individual freedoms to save the whole nation. We are asked to emulate the Youth of 1976 by being volunteers like the frontline and health workers and to be counted to lead the country out of this crisis into a better, safer world. This calls for vigilance, discipline, and avoiding risky behaviour by the youth which includes staying away from crowded places like pubs and taverns.

ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF CRIME

Honourable Speaker, Distinguished Guests, this Youth Parliament meets as we face the increasing threat of crime in our businesses, our communities and in our homes. At whatever level, crime is unacceptable, and it threatens the very freedoms that the 1976 generation and other freedom fighters fought, went to prison and died for. In this regard, we condemn hate crimes directed at the LGBTQI+ communities and insist that those who were responsible for the gruesome murder of Anele Bhengu in KwaMakhutha last Sunday must face the full might of the law. The youth of 76 did not pay the ultimate prize so for our society to harm and discriminate women and people with different sexual orientation. As agents of change, we know that the youth of today will play their part in ending the scourge of GBV and murder in our country.

According to the latest report of the SAPS Crime Statistics for the 4th Quarter of the 2020/21, there has been an increase in the number of crimes.

The report indicates that:

Contact crime, which includes murder, attempted murder and robbery aggravated have recorded high percentage increases;

Sexual Offences recorded an increase of 0.3% in sexual assault, while at the same time there was a decrease in rape;

Robberies of all categories recorded an increase.

We are pleased with the SAPS action that is focused on key crime spots such as Plessislaer, Inanda, Umlazi, KwaMashu and others while closing down space for criminals in the whole province. We applaud Commissioner of Police General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for the work done on the gangs in Pietermaritzburg that have been terrorising the community. When the criminal opens fire against the SAPS, he must know that he has declared war against the state and will face the full consequences.

We call on all our communities to continue to work with the SAPS and other law-enforcement agencies to corner the criminal elements and to build sustainable safer communities.

ROLLING OUT OPERATION VULA FUND

Aligned to the Youth Development Strategy, we are pleased to announce the rollout of Operation Vula Fund in the districts of KwaZulu-Natal. The District Roll out of Operation Vula Fund will be launched later this month in the uMgungundlovu District in Pietermaritzburg.

So far, the Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs has received a total of 4229 funding applications by the closing date of 13 March 2020. In this regard a total of 1018 applications with a monetary value of R297million have been approved to date.

As we stated during the 2021 State of the Province Address, the creation of jobs remains a key priority of our government. We announced the placement by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, of 500 interns in municipalities. The interns are currently assigned to various municipalities across the province.

We also announced that KwaZulu-Natal will rollout broadband connection and digital transformation throughout the province to enable effective deployment of 4IR solutions. Public hotspots, taxi ranks, schools and health facilities are targeted for the rollout.

We are determined to install 20 500 hotspots in the province by 2024. On a conservative estimate this will result in an estimated 191 000 jobs being created, with majority being Youth and Women in ICT.

With the participation of at least 500 SMMEs, we are sure to kickstart a digital revolution that will centre the young people of KZN into the 21st century.

To date, no less than 142 sites have been connected in uMzinyathi and Pietermaritzburg districts through the SA Connect program. These are broken into 110 Schools connected, 13 Healthcare centres and 74 other government sites.

In addition, seven public WiFi hot spots have been deployed through the Umgungundlovu Point of Contact in Vezokuhle Primary School, Bhekisizwe Primary, uMgungundlovu DM Offices, Edendale Gateway Clinic, Umsunduzi Library, Umsunduzi Taxi Rank, Langalibalele Street.

We have overseen the commencement of Broadband Push to talk over Cellular within Ugu, iLembe and Kokstad district municipalities to speed up access to Wifi. As you may be aware, last month the MEC for EDTEA Hon Ravi Pillay participated in the launch of Wifi Hospots in KwaXolo outside Port Shepstone where youth owned Adnote is rolling out connectivity that will bring the digital era closer to the people of KwaXolo.

AGRICULTURAL GRADUATE ON-FARM PLACEMENT PROGRAMME

Honourable Speaker, Distinguished Delegates, we also announced that about 300 unemployed graduates were placed on farms in the past financial year.

We have since committed to placing a similar number of unemployed graduates during this financial year on farms. At least another 250 unemployed graduates will be placed in our research stations for the production of agronomic seeds and seedlings. This is in support of provincial government initiatives to accelerate economic development by establishing viable, sustainable and employment creating enterprises.

LEARNER TRANSPORT POLICY

We recently adopted the KZN Learner Transport Policy which applies to the transportation of learners from grade R to 12, as well as learners with disabilities, i.e., learners attending public ordinary schools and learners attending public special schools. This is about giving effect to the learners’ rights to access schools in urban and rural areas.

Honourable Speaker, Distinguished Delegates, we are here today to discharge the following responsibilities: To report back on the resolutions of this Parliament which at its sitting in 2020 were directed to the Office of the Premier.

Secondly, we are here to table the KZN Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2021-2025.

THE PROVINCIAL INTEGRATED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2025

On the 45th anniversary of youth month, we are pleased to unveil the Provincial Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2021-2025 which provides clarity on the responsibilities of government to young people in the province.

By adopting the Provincial Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2021-2025, the KZN Provincial Executive Council has laid the foundation for young people to take their rightful place in the economy and society.

The extent to which exclusion and marginalisation of youth is prevalent in the Province and the country at large, has reached alarming proportions. The high level of youth unemployment and other related challenges confronting the youth have prompted the decision to formulate the Provincial Integrated Youth Development Strategy (PIYDS).

The successful implementation of the National Youth Policy (NYP) depends on the National Integrated Youth Development Strategy (NIYDS).

Subsequent to that provinces are expected to develop their own Provincial Youth Development Strategy as a tool to implement the National Youth Policy and youth development programs at the Provincial level.

It is against this backdrop that the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government presents the Provincial Integrated Youth Development Strategy (PIYDS).

This strategy stipulates the key strategic activities through which the policy priorities contained in the NYP will be implemented. It further specifies the relevant mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation. F

It fosters integration of Provincial Departments on the implementation of youth development programs and develops one Youth Development Plan for the Province.

This strategy sets out how government, working with communities, public sector, labour, civil society and private sector will ensure support of young people through amongst others: develop skills and attitudes to enable them to positively contribute in development of their society, now and in the future.

The strategy seeks to foster economic development for self-sustainability, social cohesion and nation building not forgetting healthcare and substance abuse, amongst others. Our aim is to build a healthy nation.

This is not a government strategy. Our young people have indicated that they no longer want to be passive recipients of development. Our young people want to take their rightful place in the strategic developmental initiatives in ensuring that they become constructive engineers and masters in command of their own socio-economic development. Our youth are reinforcing the phrase that says ‘nothing about us without us”.

The Provincial Integrated Youth Development Strategy (PIYDS) is a road map for engaging the youth of KZN to take their rightful place in initiatives that seek to transform the Province into a prosperous and thriving one. Through the strategy, we intend to foster synergies and integration amongst stakeholders so as to advance youth development and empowerment in the Province. Again, we call on the youth to rise and play their role to help drive the Economic Reconstruction and Transformation Plan.

The Strategy focuses on youth groups as categorized in the National Youth Policy. This includes Unemployed Youth, Young Women, Youth with Disabilities, School-aged-out of school youth, Youth in Rural Areas, Youth at Risk, Youth heading households, Youth in conflict with the law, and Youth who abuse substances like drugs and alcohol.

The strategy adopts a comprehensive approach that covers the following focal areas:

Quality Education, Skills and Second Chances;

Economic Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Job Creation;

Physical and Mental Health Promotion including other pandemics;

Social Cohesion and Nation-building;

Effective and Responsive Youth Development Machinery.

We hereby table this the KwaZulu-Natal Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2021-2025.

REPORT ON RESOLUTIONS FROM THE SITTING OF YOUTH PARLIAMENT IN 2020

Honourable Speaker, my primary task this morning is to table the response of the OTP to the resolutions adopted by the sitting of this Parliament in 2020.

I propose to table the full report, but with your permission, I will detail some of the key areas that were raised by the representatives of young people last time we held the Youth Parliament. The report includes reference to the 9 resolutions that were directed at OTP and we hereby wish to respond as follows.

RESOLUTION 1/2020

This resolution refers to the lack of job opportunities and high unemployment of the Youth in Kwa-Zulu Natal and in the country. The resolution calls for the scrapping of the requirement of work experience for entry level posts.

In this regard, we wish to assure this Parliament that the entire KZN Provincial Government is now fully compliant with the DPSA circular issued on 1 April 2019. This circular stipulates that all entry level posts should not be required to have work experience before they are employed.

We can report that the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has directed government departments to identify and to put together the list of entry level posts that do not require work experience and to implement the directive.

Further as part of this resolution, the Youth Parliament resolved that “a Bill be initiated that will ensure that at least 40 % of public service posts are filled by the youth”. As the OTP we wish to respond as follows. While the responsibility to initiate Bills such as this one rests with national, we advise that youth structures can still agitate the issue with the Department of Employment and Labour.

For our part as OTP, we will bring this matter to the attention of the Department of Employment and Labour through the relevant structures.

It was also resolved that Government must prioritise South Africans in any form of employment opportunities and protect jobs for South Africans.​

In this regard, we wish to assure this sitting that Provincial Government policy on Recruitment and Selection is in indeed in line with Section 10 of the Public Service Act which requires that a person to be appointed should be a South African citizen. The only exception is in circumstances where a foreign national could be considered as having scarce skills or has an official permit.

Section 11 of the Public Service Act goes further to state that all persons who apply and qualify for appointment shall be considered among others, to be assisting the public service achieve the objective of being representative of all the people.

With regard to the resolution that foreign companies doing business within our borders must impart skills to local youth before exiting the country. Our response is as follows: it is mandatory for foreign companies operating within the borders of the country to impart skills to local labour. This means that any foreign company that is not doing so is in violation of the law.

RESOLUTION 2/2020

Noting the impact of Covid-19 on the business sector, the Youth Parliament resolved that:

Procurement processes must favour the youth, and government must set aside 50% of procurement spend for youth-owned businesses.

The response of OTP in this regard is that in terms of the National Youth Policy that was approved in October 2020, it should be a condition that if the state procures from a business that business must set aside at least 30% of its procurement spend for the youth. However, the proposal shall be aligned with the existing legislation to manage legal implications.

RESOLUTION 3/2020

Noting the high data cost against the rest of the world as we move towards the fourth industrial revolution, Youth Parliament resolved that government must reduce data prices.

As OTP, we wish to respond as follows: The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has been working in collaboration with regulatory agencies, particularly the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the Competition Commission, to prioritise the reduction of data costs in South Africa. The regulatory agencies have developed specific guidelines for addressing the high costs of data in the country.

The concerted efforts by regulators resulted in significant reduction of data prices over the past twelve months by approximately 33% per 1GB across major operators. Consequently, South Africa has seen the introduction of more flexible regimes for data expiry in the prepaid segments resulting in reduced average spending by consumers on data.

KZN Provincial Government has moved into a wireless environment, where communities access wireless connectivity through government buildings and municipal buildings, holding virtual meetings. We also support online training, checking jobs online, and where possible conduct interviews virtually.

Youth Parliament also resolved that Government must incentivise the youth with data as it is a necessity to all learners, tertiary students and the unemployed youth.

The Response of OTP in this regard is as follows: The Department of Higher Education and Training together with the Universities concluded an agreement with South Africa’s mobile network operators to support students with free data. The agreement also includes zero data content which is to manage the impact of COVID-19 in education during the National Lockdown. As a result each student received 10GB of free data in order to assist them with online learning while they could not be on campus.

RESOLUTION 4/2020

The resolution noted that government must encourage businesses to be tax compliant, support and protect informal business.

Our response to this resolution is that SARS does conduct community roadshows regularly in partnership with other organizations. We wish to reiterate that all companies trading in the country are expected to file tax returns on an annual basis. As we are all aware, tax compliance is a prerequisite for companies that are doing business with the state.

RESOLUTION 5/2020

This resolution noted slow progress in the implementation of resolutions on youth-related issues across the province. In this regard, the Youth Parliament called for the establishment of Youth Directorate Offices in all Municipalities and Government Departments.

In our response we can assure this Parliament that the Provincial Cabinet has resolved that all Departments must have dedicated personnel for youth development.

Further to this, we are pleased to report that districts and local municipalities do have personnel dedicated to youth development.

We also wish to add that the Office of the Premier has adopted Provincial Integrated Youth Development Strategy. The Youth Development Strategy was recently approved by the Provincial Executive Council and will provide the framework for the implementation of youth development interventions by all relevant implementing agencies including Departments and Agencies. We are also forging ahead with providing youth services to all the districts the deployment of mobile offices.

RESOLUTION 6/2020

This resolution notes the lack of funding for youth owned businesses and therefore called on Government to increase the funding for youth-owned business.​

As the Office of the Premier we would like to inform this sitting of the Youth Parliament that on the 31st of January 2019 Cabinet resolved that:

“All Provincial Departments to make provision for fund contribution in the next financial years to enable continuity of the youth empowerment fund”.

Over and above this Provincial Treasury has been instrumental in obtaining commitment from ABSA in the form of loan funding of youth businesses with relaxed conditions. This MOU between Government and ABSA makes it possible for all SMMEs with government contracts to secure ABSA capital. This is a 3-year agreement signed in 2020. In 2021/2022, we have set aside R50 million towards support youth owned enterprises with the potential to tackle unemployment.

The Youth Parliament also called on Government to separate the Covid-19 relief fund for Youth-owned businesses.

As the Office of the Premier our response in this regard is that the outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted a lot of enterprises in South Africa and globally. Youth-owned enterprises have not been spared from this.

It is to be noted that several interventions were announced by government and the private sector to help SMME mitigate the impact of COVID-19. During this period, the NYDA and other state entities provided a Relief Fund to youth-owned enterprises which has been very welcome.

Another part of this resolution is that government must decentralise youth funding offices and make them accessible to peri-urban and rural areas.

As the Office of the Premier we are very pleased to report the Department of Arts and Culture, EDTEA and Public Works embarked on a process of decentralizing its operations from a Regional level to the District. This is to ensure accessibility of Departmental programmes.

It is our view that local offices play a critical role in receiving applications for support/funding from all categories including youth, women and people with disabilities.

Districts offices play a supporting role and provide Grant-in-Aid funding on an annual basis and any other funding platforms provided by National Departments. As far as possible, priority is given to organizations that are owned by women, youth, disabled people and previously disadvantaged communities.

Another leg of this resolution is the establishment of youth funding and business support offices e.g. SEDA, NYDA etc in all municipalities.

As you may all be aware, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has made efforts to have a footprint in the Province. The situation currently is that NYDA has three full-service branches in Durban, Empangeni and Newcastle.

The Agency also has District offices in order to maximise access to their products and services. These are in Uthukela (Ladysmith), Ugu (Port Shepstone), Zululand (Pongola) and in the uMkhanyakude District (Mbazwane).

We can also report to this Youth Parliament that the NYDA has signed three MOUs with Harry Gwala, uMgungundlovu and uMzinyathi Districts for provision of the office space. The Agency is also busy with renovations in the iLembe District office in Stanger.

In addition, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) has physical offices in King Cetshwayo, uMgungundlovu, Ugu, uThukela, Amajuba, eThekwini and Amajuba.

The NYDA has signed co-location agreements in place with the Endumeni Municipality to cover Umzinyathi District, a mobile facility (Trailer) located in Jozini to cover Umkhanyakude District.

ILembe District is serviced from the Durban Office. Zululand District is serviced from the Branch Office in Richards Bay with regular visits to the District planned with Zululand Municipality LED office.

Another part to the resolution is that government must provide youth with entrepreneurial training through various SETAs.

On behalf of the Office of the Premier, we wish to report that through partnerships we currently provide youth with financial Management training. This enables them to better manage and grow their small businesses.

As we have referred to above, government has a number of institutions that provide youth development programs which capacitate the youth with business skills.

These institutions are the NYDA, SEFA, EDTEA and SEDA all of which have a solid footprint in the province. We would take the opportunity to encourage the youth to visit these institutions.

We are also pleased to report that the Public Service Academy in the Office of the Premier is in the process of rolling-out a project that is funded by MERSETA to the tune of R55 million. The project aims at training 1092 young people in artisan skills in the manufacturing and engineering fields in the Province.

In particular, this project will equip young people with technical skills to enable them to start their own businesses. We are pleased to report that MERSETA has already transferred the first tranche of this funding to the Academy.

Youth Parliament also resolved that government must train youth in the development of business plans. The response of OTP is that we have embarked on enterprise development roadshows which provide various skills to young people.

These include compliance, and business and financial management and form part of interventions that are in line with the business support.

The programme provides a platform to support and improve the sustainability of emerging youth entrepreneurs through real business skills and product development programmes.

Finally, we need to point out that SEDA and NYDA have a mandate to provide skills and development to entrepreneurs. Both institutions have a footprint in the province. ​

RESOLUTION 7/2020

This resolution referred to the imminent peak of COVID-19 and its possible impact on the opening of schools. Considering the threat posed by the pandemic, it was resolved that the reopening of schools must only be done when the safety of those involved is assured.

We are pleased to respond as follows: The Reopening of schools, universities and TVET colleges was done according to the pronouncements of both Ministers of Basic Education and Higher Education and after proper assessment and compliance with all COVID-19 regulations and safety protocols.

In this regard, the learners and students returned in different phases in line with the National Lockdown Regulations. Another arm of this resolution is that the Department of Education must enforce Covid-19 precautionary measures and regulations in all schools and learner transport.

We are pleased to state that the Department of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training respectively have developed guidelines and protocols on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools and Institutions of Higher Learning.

Following this every school and institution of Higher Learning has preventative measures in place, and we can assure this House that they adhere to prescribed protocols.

RESOLUTION 8/2020

Youth Parliament proposed that in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in densely populated areas and to protect the majority of small businesses and small-sized industries are mainly located in dense cities government must fast-track spatial development in the peri-urban and rural areas.

As our response to this resolution we would like to state as follows:

The Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PDSF) is one of Provincial Government’s priorities in the MTSF for 2019-2024 aimed at addressing the historical spatial inequalities. PDSF provides the institutional framework for better planning, resourcing, monitoring and evaluation.

The framework is positioned to attract investment into the local manufacturing sector and to enhance the capacity to process raw material. This will strengthen value-chains and limit the import of locally available products.

Finally, in RESOLUTION 9/2020 Youth Parliament having noted the negative effects of the pandemic which had resulted in young people losing jobs and their businesses suffocating due to the National Disaster.

With regard to this reality, Youth Parliament resolved that all government departments in the Province must report on their interventions to rescue youth from jobs and business.

We also wish to draw the attention of this Youth Parliament to the new and expanded interventions led by departments for mass job creation in order to alleviate the effects of Covid-19 and to reintegrate youth into the mainstream economy.

Among others, Covid-19 has presented opportunities for vulnerable groups in the manufacturing space, especially women, who are manufacturing sanitisers and face masks. Wherever possible we have also made sure to include vulnerable groups in the procurement processes.

Honourable Speaker, Distinguished Delegates allow us to end with the words of Nelson Mandela who was the first President of our democracy who in a 2008 message said, and I quote:

“As we take stock of our accomplishments and shortcomings we should not, by a slightest of chance lose sight of our once ambitious dream for education, total economic participation, democracy and freedom for all. The struggle for democracy has never been a matter pursued by one race, class, religious community or gender among South Africans. As future leaders of this country your challenge is to foster a nation in which all people irrespective of race, colour, sex, religion or creed, can assert social cohesion fully. Mindful of your own challenges you must continue to promote the principle of relentless freedom and democracy as it is the foundation upon which issues of human rights are ingrained”.

Together Let us Build and Grow KwaZulu-Natal!

I thank you!