Following yesterday’s shambolic appearance by the Board of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), ActionSA will be writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa to demand urgent intervention.
With an annual budget of approximately R1 billion, the NYDA is mandated with addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by South Africa’s youth, aged 14 to 35. In a country where youth unemployment stands at 60.9% among those aged 15 to 24 and 40.6% among those aged 25 to 34, the agency’s mandate has never been more important.
However, yesterday’s appearance by the agency’s board and the Minister reflected a disturbing disregard for the plight of young South Africans, particularly those struggling to find work. The committee heard that numerous whistleblower complaints have been levelled against the NYDA, while a forensic investigation into internal leaks is underway in order to identify whistleblowers despite some board members indicating that no board approval had been granted. The proceedings exposed a board at war with itself and seemingly incapable of adhering to basic governance principles.
While the Chairperson of the board showed little remorse for a New York trip that cost taxpayers more than R1 million, the Minister appeared out of her depth, underscored by her apparent inability to distinguish between an annual general meeting and a board meeting. This comes amid allegations of ministerial interference in board processes.
Most disturbing is the NYDA’s apparent attempt to muzzle the media and expose whistleblowers by seeking a protection order against journalists from Sunday Times/TimesLIVE in terms of the Protection from Harassment Act. While the Chairperson’s affidavit reportedly states that the application is being brought in her personal capacity, the case is being funded by the NYDA despite no board approval having been obtained for this expenditure.
ActionSA unequivocally rejects any attempt to intimidate journalists or silence whistleblowers. A free press remains indispensable to holding those in power accountable, particularly in a country where corruption continues to hollow out public institutions and divert resources from addressing the crisis of youth unemployment. Whistleblowers are equally vital in exposing wrongdoing, which is why ActionSA introduced the Fallen Whistleblowers Bill earlier this year.
The President can no longer ignore the deepening governance crisis at the NYDA. ActionSA will formally request his intervention to restore accountability, protect whistleblowers and ensure that an agency established to serve South Africa’s youth is focused on its mandate rather than internal dysfunction.
ActionSA Origins: Formed after Mashaba resigned from the DA.
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