By Nangamso Mabindla
19 June 2007

PROVINCIAL and local governments must help the National Youth Commission in its efforts to improve the participation of the youth in the building of the country's economy.

This plea was made by the commission's chairperson, Nobulumko Nkondlo, at the Youth Day festival in East London on Saturday, 16 June.

"Our theme for this year's celebrations reminds us of the need to renew our pledge of deepening youth participation in development through service and we would like to call on the two tiers of government to make sure that the youth is economically developed," Nkondlo said.

This year the commission launched the National Youth Festival, which aims to promote participation by youngsters in sport, culture and the economy.

"We want the youth to play an important role in the success of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ to be played in our country. As part of the youth festival we also invited government funding institutions to talk to the youth about opportunities in business."

However, for the commission to meet its goals successfully, it needed the assistance of provincial and local governments.

"I would like to see premiers and mayors reporting to the president on youth development in their areas. I would also like to see local and provincial governments working closely with us in encouraging the youth to participate in government," she said.

Also speaking at the event, President Thabo Mbeki said that he would make sure that local and provincial governments reported on the progress made in youth development.

"I am going to add it as part my programme and look into the progress made by the two spheres of government in the development of the youth."