By Thokozani Mtshali
The National Youth Commission (NYC) on Tuesday sought to downplay the growing public perception that its days were numbered after a parliamentary sanctioned review of chapter nine institutions and related structures.
The NYC is actually not a chapter nine institution but has been put in the review group along the likes of the South African Human Rights Commission, the Public Protector and the Commission on Gender Equality.
Parliament appointed former education minister Kader Asmal last year as head of its ad hoc committee that is currently investigating the importance and effectiveness of these institutions.
'we have observed with concern the ongoing misinterpretation of our mandate' The NYC was the first of these bodies to be called before the committee in parliament last week where both Asmal and MPs in the committee raised concerns relating to the commission, including apparent duplication in its work and that of another government department.
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Committee members also questioned the existence of a youth desk in the office of the minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad to whom the NYC also reports.
The ANC Youth League was the first organisation last year to question the existence of the youth desk's office in the Presidency and accused Pahad of impeding youth development in the country.
But in a clear attempt not to bite the hand that feeds it, the NYC on Tuesday contended that the youth desk in Pahad's office was "not a duplication of its work". The commission's chairperson, Nobulumko Nkondlo said the commission was intending to engage the public to improve the understanding of its work.
"Having listened to the diverse opinions expressed about the commission in the aftermath of our appearance before parliament ... we have observed with concern the ongoing misinterpretation of our mandate and the commitment and expectation that are aligned to our powers and responsibilities," Nkondlo said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
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