By Nangamso Mabindla
1 June 2005

CELEBRATING Youth Month, representatives from organisations from across Buffalo City are spending the next three days locked in discussions highlighting issues of concern to young people.

The aim of the workshop, held at the Mdantsane Sun until Friday, 3 June, is to come up with a Youth Development Strategy for the Buffalo City municipality. Representatives from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) are providing technical support, acting as consultants.

The workshop also gives delegates the opportunity to share experiences, information and resources with people across the municipality.

Delegates hope to develop a best practice model best that can then be applied across the province.

Speaking at the start of the workshop, Councillor Sindiswa Gomba said it was fitting for the City to hold such a workshop. "Remember this is your month, especially with June 16 coming up (the anniversary of the start of the 1976 student uprising against the apartheid government). You need to ensure you participate in ensuring a bright future," she said.

Mayor Sindisile Maclean said it was time for the youth to participate in local government on a developmental level. "I would like to see the strategy developed here to be based on the pressing issues close to your hearts," he said. "We want the youth to be part of Buffalo City."

He added, "It's your strategy. You know what you want and you need to include that in your strategy."

However, the mayor warned delegates not to forget the issue of HIV/Aids, "because it affects young people in our communities".

He urged the youth to work closely with the city council to ensure their concerns were addressed.

After drawing up a strategy, the City will be in a position to assist smaller municipalities in the Amathole District to drafting their own plans.