NYC - NYC Policy

2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Background
With some 39% of South African society aged between 14 and 35 years , young people clearly comprise a substantial part of South African society. However, due to the policies of past governments, a significant number of young women and men have not been afforded the opportunity to develop their full potential. They have experienced poor housing conditions; limited and racially-biased access to education and training; limited employment opportunities; high levels of crime and violence and a general disintegration of social networks and communities. In addition, the previous government did not develop any specific policies or programmes to address the needs of young women and men.
The democratisation of South African society has offered many new opportunities and challenges to previously disadvantaged groups. Young women and men are, in particular, recognised as a vital resource whose future prospects are inextricably tied to that of the country as a whole. As President Mandela put it in May 1994, "youth are the valued possession of the nation. Without them there can be no future. Their needs are immense and urgent. They are the centre of reconstruction and development."
The National Youth Commission was established and inaugurated on 16 June 1996 by President Mandela. The Commission has been established through the National Youth Commission Act (1996) as a part of the Government's plan to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the problems and challenges facing young women and men in South Africa. The National Youth Policy represents a major and historical milestone in youth development and is an expression of the Government's commitment to the full development of all young women and men. Through this policy an environment will be created wherein all stakeholders in youth development can work toward common goals and a better South Africa for all.
In preparing the National Youth Policy, the National Youth Commission has undergone an extensive process of consultation with youth organisations, sectoral groups, provinces as well as young women and men themselves. Through the participation of these groups in the policy formulation process, the National Youth Policy has been designed to address the major needs, challenges and opportunities of young men and women, accommodating provincial variations and specific sectoral issues.
In June 1997, the National Youth Commission held a National Youth Summit in Cape Town. This Summit drew together more than 200 delegates from major youth, political and community organisations to discuss the process of policy formulation and to create a framework and direction for the National Youth Policy. Based upon the agreements reached at the National Youth Summit an extensive process of consultation was launched.
Provincial Youth Summits were held in every province, involving more than 1400 young people and representatives from different youth organisations. Prior to these summits, most provinces had conducted Youth Hearings. These hearings provided opportunities for young women and men to come together and discuss the major issues, challenges and needs they face which should be addressed through a National Youth Policy. Over 3000 young women and men participated in 35 Youth Hearings held in rural and urban settings across the country. Appendix 1 contains a summary of the locations of the Youth Hearings and Provincial Summits.
The National Youth Commission also conducted a series of sectoral workshops and focus groups which were specifically designed to consider the various strategy areas of the National Youth Policy. Twelve workshops and focus groups of this type were held along with a number of direct consultations between the National Youth Commission and Central Government departments.
In addition to the above consultations, the National Youth Commission received over 100 written submissions from groups and individuals across the country, proposing a wide variety of concepts, programmes and opportunities for youth development. The Commission also drew from a range of research and consultations that had been previously undertaken by organisations such as the Joint Enrichment Project (JEP), the Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE) and the Joint Centre for Political and Economic Studies.
Finally, on 28 to 30 November 1997 some 167 representatives of major youth and political organisations as well as government departments gathered to review the first draft of the National Youth Policy. The National Youth Policy Summit provided an opportunity for delegates to recommend changes and to approve the first draft. Based upon these recommendations the National Youth Commission reviewed an amended draft of the policy and approved this draft on 9 December 1997.
In adopting South Africa's first National Youth Policy, the Government of the Republic of South Africa not only acknowledges the value and significance of its young people but also draws on international experience which clearly demonstrates the fundamental need for a comprehensive and holistic national youth policy providing a framework and focus for youth development by all stakeholders.