Johannesburg – A new institute to nurture young thinkers was launched by the National Youth Development Agency in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on Thursday.
Launching the Youth Development Institute (YDI), Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela said: “The institute will be a hub for young researchers and central point of reference for all youth related matters.”
Manamela explained that the YDI would also work with young activists and workers to advance the youth development agenda.
“We want the youth to be part of the change happening in Africa and critically contribute to the development of South Africa,” he said.
Board chairman of YDI Linda Mtwisha said the they plan to use YDI to create a better future for young people in the country.
“Globally there are 1.2 billion young people and in that number are 228 million young people in Africa. Our role is to make sure that we put in place institutional mechanisms that will develop those young people,” said Mtwisha
Mtwisha said more and more youth were adding their voices to political and socio-economic issues.
“Young people are becoming more and more powerful which means we now need to listen to what they want to say,”
UJ chancellor and principal Ihron Rensburg said the launch of the YDI would assist in closing the gap between the elite and the poor.
“The growth of young people in South Africa definitely a window of opportunity. It is important to focus on the needs of young people and also see how we can open opportunities for them,” said Rensburg
African News Agency
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