The North West Provincial Legislature will be holding its annual Youth Parliament on Wednesday June 22, in the Legislature Chamber at 09h00. The event, themed, 'Economic growth through job creation', will focus on capacitating youth to confront challenges of joblessness and poverty eradication.
The following thematic areas will be discussed; Creation of decent jobs for Youth; Skills Development; Role of young people in the developmental agenda of state.
Job creation for the youth is very crucial in successfully fighting against extreme poverty and hunger. Statistics show that more than 42% of young people aged between 19 and 35 living in both urban and rural areas are unemployed. To address this challenge, youth of this country must have access to decent jobs, and play their role on the country's economy.
The Legislature conducted research on the thematic areas providing facts, figures, guidance and ran workshops across the four districts of the province from the 7-10 June. About 100 young people from FET Colleges, University students, Graduates, non-graduates, employed and unemployed youth took part in these workshops. Also in attendance were identified stakeholders such as Youth political structures; Government Departments and parastatals; and National Youth Development Agency.
Youth attending Youth Parliament 2011 are those from the workshops in the different regions as well as those from the Mafikeng locale. Members of the North West Provincial Legislature will attend and the Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon Motlalepula Rosho will lead the delegation.
Hon. Rosho said that it has been a norm that the Legislature creates a platform for the youth through a Sectoral Parliament to raise issues that affect them so they could be responded to by relevant government structures.
"Our objective is to award the youth of the province an opportunity to raise their challenges and recommendations and for us MPLs to play our oversight role on any issues raised that affect the youth," said Hon. Rosho.
Members of the media are invited to attend. Please contact Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 0628 for more information.