Issues to be addressed by the South African Youth Council

Issues affecting the needs of the youth in the Umjindi municipal area will finally be heard and addressed.

This followed the re-launch of the South African Youth Council (SAYC) Umjindi branch at the council banquet hall on Saturday.

More than 50 local youths delegated by their various organizations from the municipality attended. In her welcoming address, Cllr Mavi Hlophe, a member of mayoral committee for transversal and social development, encouraged them to engage with government to propose solutions. “This gathering here today must be seen as part of making sure that young people are speaking in one voice. When you are organised, it becomes easier to be heard. I wish you well and hope you will represent the interests of young people in Umjindi.”

Local youths have long been complaining that the local council was not taking them into consideration. There has been no council desk or structure to represent them. The last time the SAYC structure existed in Umjindi, was in 2007. One of its members then was Willem Magagula, who eventually served as secretary in the provincial structure. Magagula is now a respected businessman in the area.

Giving message of support, Umjindi municipal manager, Pat Msibi said those elected should be leaders who were prepared to serve selflessly and be committed and visionaries. “We need leaders who will leave a legacy for the municipality. We take this organisation as an incubator at which young entrepreneurs will be created,” said Msibi.

The re-launch was led by Kanego Thete, who is SAYC provincial task team co-ordinator. He said the emphasis for SAYC was mobilising all youth organisations from membership base, issue base and service base organisations. “The Umjindi SAYC role is to ensure that all young people from the entire community of Umjindi, with their diverse challenges, characters, qualities and interests, unite towards the development of programmes that will attend to their challenges.”

Vocal Vuyisile “Tiwawa” Fakudze was elected new chairman of the Umjindi SAYC. Former local Ehlanzeni FET College student representative council chairman, Siyabonga Malandule, who led various protests over the fight for a national student financial aid scheme, was elected deputy chairman. Lunga Lubhedze was elected as secretary and Thabile Khoza deputy secretary. All the organisation’s financial issues will be handled by Sthembile Mhlongo who was elected treasurer.

Fakudze challenged the municipality to ensure that in three months’ time they should have been provided with a fully equipped office. “We request the municipality to speak to local businesses to assist us with an office. To be fully operationally and to ensure that the torch that has been handed to us keeps burning, we will need a fully resourced office.”

He was quick to point out challenges faced by the youth of the area. “We need an information centre or hub in Emjindini at whioch vacant posts, business opportunities and available skills development programmes are displayed,” he said.

Umjindi speaker, Cllr Vusi Mkhatshwa said with the relaunch of SAYC, he hoped youth development would be visible. “You have the responsibility of identifying all youth structures within Umjindi.”

The Umjindi SAYC has been given three weeks to convene its summit.