Youth Development

Youth Development
For more information please contact: Mr. Matika
Tel. 071 438 6597; email: bmatika2005@yahoo.com

FOCUS GROUP
Unemployed, underemployed and out of school youth between the ages of 18 – 36 in both rural and urban areas.

SERVICE
Youth Development

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
To promote integrated socio-economic development opportunities and increase the level of economic development for youth through self employment opportunities and income generating programmes.

LEGISLATION
- The whole notion of a programme for youth development has its foundation in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996.

Given our history, particular attention has to be given socio-economic rights included in the Bill of Rights. These include access to housing, health care, food water and social security and education. Youth like any age groups in the South African Population, are affected directly by measures taken to support these rights.
The National Youth Commission Act, of 1996 recognises the need to redress the imbalances of the past and to create a National Youth Policy aimed at empowering the youth and allowing them to realize their full potential through optimum access to opportunities.

The Eastern Cape Promotion of Youth affairs Amendment Act, 0f 2001 enjoins the Eastern Cape Youth Provincial Commission to “plan and prepare a programme for the promotion of youth development and co-ordinate its implementation by government and non-governmental partners”.

Youth Policy in South Africa is rooted in the vision of the Reconstruction and Development Programme ( RDP), which is to improve the quality of life of all South Africans, and in particular the most poor and marginalized sections of our communities.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The Eastern Cape government and its partners have set in motion a process of evolving a ten-year Provincial Growth and development Plan (PGDP 2004-2014)

This is in recognition of a need for a medium to long –term plan whose aim is to provide an overarching strategic framework and integrated set of sector strategies and programmes aimed at the rapid improvement in the quality of life of ultra poor people in the province. The Youth Development Plan is an integral part of such strategies, and Youth development as a programme is borne out of such broader plans.

PURPOSE/AIMS OF THE SERVICE
To promote integrated socio-economic development opportunities targeting out of school and unemployed youth in the communities. The ultimate purpose is to support youth initiatives in efforts towards poverty eradication.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
Community Development Practitioners (CDPs)

WHERE DO I APPLY FOR THE SERVICE?
The Department of Social Development is structured as follows, Head office, six District offices and one Metro, 24 area offices and service offices. Members of the community apply to nearest office regardless of the level, and their application will then be directed to the appropriate office.

STEPS / PROCEDURES TO APPLY FOR THE SERVICE
A letter stipulating your request and the rest will be done together with the support of our officials, Community Development Practitioners (CDPs).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICE
Unemployed, underemployed and out of school youth between the ages of 18 – 36 in both rural and urban areas.