The Premier of North West Province, Prof Tebogo Job Mokgoro says as the country is this month remembering the bravery demonstrated by the youth of 1976, this is an important period for reflection on the role that government is playing towards the emancipation and development of young people.
This year’s National Youth Day and Youth Month is celebrated under the theme: “The Year of Charlotte Maxeke: Growing youth employment for an inclusive and transformed society.”
Premier Mokgoro says the provincial government regards the youth as the most important layer in society, hence programmes such as Internships, Learnerships, Youth Advocacy, sector based Entrepreneurial support and employment of young people to permanent positions in government, have been implemented by various departments and municipalities across the province.
“Like anywhere in South Africa, the unemployment statistics among young people in the North West is still of great concern to us. This is why we have during our recent North West Premier’s Coordinating Council meeting agreed that amongst other services we should prioritise without a shred of doubt, is the inclusion of young people in the procurement of goods and services”, said Premier Mokgoro who added that government has a responsibility to draw young people in the economy in order for transformation and youth development to become a reality.
The Provincial Government has also identified four pillars which are geared towards empowerment and development of the youth, this in line with the Youth Development Policy towards 2030. These pillars are Food Security, Talent Development and Management, Entrepreneurship Support and Cultural Edutainment. This advocacy programme was launched last year and young people are encouraged to participate meaningfully in this programme, for it to realise its intended objectives.
“We applaud young people like Ipeleng Kwadi from Brits, Olebogeng Bogatsu from Lombardslagte village and Neo Leburu from Ganyesa who are amongst the many young people in the province who have started their own flourishing businesses, and are continuing to demonstrate their commitment to contributing towards the rebuilding and transformation of our economy”.
Premier Mokgoro urged young people in the North West to not become despondent but courageous enough to discover their talents and dreams by becoming active players in the province’s endeavour to address the socio economic challenges facing the province, especially in rural areas.
As the North West has entered the third wave of COVID-19 infections, Premier Mokgoro has challenged the youth to become agents of change in their social circles and communities, and assist the province to fight and win the battle against the Coronavirus.
“We have received and seen reports on how young people are disregarding compliance to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the wearing of masks especially when at places of entertainment and funerals, and this is one behavior which we continue to condemn. Young people must actively participate in the fight against this pandemic, and their actions must demonstrate that the future of this province is indeed in their hands”, remarked Premier Mokgoro.
The Provincial Government has through the Department of Arts, Cultures, Sports and Recreation, planned a series of activities across the four districts of the province, in line with the four Youth Development pillars.
This year’s Provincial Youth Day will be commemorated on Friday, 18 June at the Barolong Secondary School in Mahikeng.
Source: Government of South Africa