Proud to serve
The revitalised National Youth Service (NYS) Programme was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 16 June 2022. This is the largest government intervention on youth service which seeks to encourage patriotism in young people. Furthermore, the NYS is aimed at developing skills, knowledge and abilities of young people to enable them to make a meaningful transition to adulthood, contribute in their communities and improve their employability.
Since inception, 13 National Youth Service Partners were contracted to implement programmes and secure placements for 45 000 young people. Four percent of the participants are persons with physical or learning disability. Participants have been provided with opportunities to become change agents in their communities, acquire technical skills, access career advancement opportunities, become entrepreneurs, etc.
Given the multiple NYS partners, the programme has been able to reach many parts of the country for the benefit of not only the young people but the society at large.
During the Financial Year 2021/2022, the National Youth
Service partnered with the with the Flemish government to support youth programmes which seek to encourage youth volunteerism. The success of this cooperation has largely been attributed from strong administration from both partners and effective communication.
The National Youth Service Programme also partnered with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to roll out the Young Patriots Programme (TYPP) to educate the youth about history and heritage through practical experience. Together with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, National Youth Service Programme sought to assist youth in conflict with the law and to encourage other young people to take a stand against violence and crime in our country.
The partnership with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to roll out the Community Work Programme (CWP) in Mpumalanga was established. Through this partnership, unemployed members of the community were provided with job safety net and support in their search for full-time employment.
Through the National Youth Service Programme, under the banner of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, many more programmes will be implemented with key priorities being vulnerable and marginalised young people.