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Youth Month

The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) has identified several priority interventions to accelerate pathways into the economy for young people over the next five years. 

The PYEI was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022 as a multi-sector action plan directed at addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge. 

It aims to increase job creation for the youth and strengthen livelihoods, supporting meaningful work while the labour market recovers, and ultimately grow South Africa’s economy. 

One of the components of the PYEI is the National Youth Service (NYS) which is implemented by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). It aims to promote youth participation in community development initiatives.

The NYS Senior Manager Nontsikelelo Makaula said other components of the PYEI include the establishment of a National Pathway Management Network, delivery of agile workforce development, support for youth self-employment and enterprise in the township and rural economy, and the strengthening of workplace experience. They are implemented by various partners across government.

How the NYS works 

The NYS programme employs a partnership approach that finds solutions in the development of communities by bringing value from different role players from government, civil society and the private sector. 

“Applications are invited through the NYDA portal when an opportunity becomes available. The agency also advertise vacancies through its social media platforms when there is an opportunity and the project would be launched online,” she said. 

The duration for participation depends on what the advert for applications specifies, and the next call for applications is expected to come out in July, 2023. 

The programme benefits any young person between the ages of 18 and 35 with a specific focus on young people that are unemployed, not in education or training. 

It is implemented using the NYS model which has the following key elements:

• Character building and development and training – the provision of structured training that includes accredited technical skills training, life skills, and personal and leadership development. 
• Service - exposure to a community service or work placement that benefits communities while young people gain practical experience in line with the training. 
• Exit opportunities – access to sustainable economic opportunities such as formal employment, self-employment and further education and training.

“This ensures an active and dynamic youth, the creation of a conducive environment for personal growth, economic growth, increased equality and alleviation of poverty in our communities,” she explained. 

In the year 2022, over 47 000 young people benefited from the NYS and over 8 000 of them transitioned into opportunities such as jobs, further education and entrepreneurship.

Work readiness training

Perfect Mlimi of Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga is one of the young people who joined the programme in June 2022 in order to participate in the work readiness training.

He joined the programme through the Masoyi Home Based Care centre in his home town, where he had been working as a volunteer since 2020.

“I wanted to gain experience in the human resource field and data capturing because I hold a Diploma in Human Resources Department from the Nkangala TVET College,” he said.

The centre offers peer education programmes including care for orphans and vulnerable children, early childhood development, after school and home based care, vegetable gardens, and child protection services. It has 35 employees and 15 of them are youth. 

It was established in 1997 and about 1 300 children are currently benefiting from its services, including a youth skills development centre.

“I earned a R1 400 stipend per month from the NYS and I would save R350 every month because I wanted to start a chicken farm at the end of the training programme, but things did go according to my plans,” he said. 

However, he did not give up but decided to use the money to register for a Law degree with the University of South Africa. 

“I am currently focusing on my studies, I am looking for employment and I have also submitted applications for funding to the NYDA so that I can start my poultry farm,” he said.

He encouraged young people to become part of the programme so that they can increase their knowledge base and chances of being employed. 

Muziwakhe Maniza (26) also joined the NYS programme in November 2022 through the same home based care centre and saved R200 per month from his stipend to get a professional driving permit (PrDP).  

For information about joining the NYS, visit the NYDA website www.nyda.gov.za or its social media pages.