I am proud today to be able to salute a new generation of youth who will take on the important role of representing the dreams and ambitions of young people in our province.
When this Government came into office in the tenth year of our democracy, one of our first priorities was to give the Western Cape youth their own voice. The legislation to establish the Western Cape Youth Commission [WCYC] was one of the most important deposits that we made towards the People's Contract to create jobs and fight poverty in my first hundred days in office.
So, as we approach the thirtieth commemoration of the role that our youth played in bringing us to democracy, it is to our credit as a Province that at last we join the rest of our nation in appointing our own Youth Commission.
We have been through an exhaustive consultation process - including the Legislature Standing Committee, advertisements in newspapers and discussions with youth structures - to identify Commission members with the skills, representivity, experience and commitment needed. Today, we know as a Government that we can place our trust in these eleven young people to take forward our vision of the Home for All in the name of all our youth.
We will rely on this Commission to guide us in our endeavours to build the social capital that we need in addressing the complex issues facing our youth, including: unemployment, skills deficits, gangsterism, drug abuse and poverty. This will allow us to ensure that our programme of economic development: which we call, iKapa Elihlumayo, can benefit the youth fully.
I want to place on record my sincere appreciation for the work done by the Standing Committee and its Chairperson Patrick McKenzie towards the finalisation of the Western Cape Youth Commission (WCYC). I have sent the names for gazetting so that the announcements can be made and the commission can be ready to commence its work by July 1 st , 2005.
Except in one instance, I have been confined to the short list provided by the Standing Committee. I needed to broaden the list also with women since the original short list of 20 contained only 4 women's names.
The short-list provided by the Standing Committee was in order of those who scored most in the interviews to those who scored least. Seven out of that top 10 are in the Commission, 3 of them as full time members. The two other full time members are drawn from the next 5, in other words, within the first 15.
I have also decided to appoint a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson. In the case of the Chairperson, I thought the highest scoring candidate, with political developmental insight and given the complex needs of the Western Cape, should chair the Western Cape Youth Commission. [I have therefore, appointed Vincent Domingo as Chair, and Siyazi Tyatyam as Deputy].
I believe that the Western Cape Youth Commission (WCYC) is balanced; although we could have improved on gender had we not had the limitations referred to earlier. But given the history of disadvantaged youth in the Western Cape, a balance of (5) Africans (5) Coloureds and (1) White, including four women, four rural and youth with a disability should fairly represent the youth of the Western Cape. I believe that these balances are underpinned by exceptional skill and competence.
I believe that the woman brought in from outside the Standing Committee's short list represents an important continuity with those who over the last decade were enthusiastic in lobbying for a Western Cape Youth Commission (WCYC) and, because of her national leadership role, she brings an important national perspective to bear on the work of the Western Cape Youth Commission.
I have decided to use the full provision of the law in filling all available places. The following is the decision that I have sent for gazetting:
The exploits and victories of youth are often celebrated. But we all need to acknowledge that the process of growing towards adulthood can often be extremely painful. All our emotions as young people are intensified. And, in difficult times, these emotions too easily turn to anger, frustration and defiance. Indeed, the very qualities that fuelled the demonstrations that began in 1976 are inappropriate in times of peace and democracy.
We live in a world which seems, at face value, to offer young people few choices. Unemployment, HIV and AIDS, poverty, inadequate schooling and recreation facilities and poor role models populate their horizons.
As a result, they often turn towards activities that are destructive, both to themselves and to the communities in which they live.
They may even find outlets for their anger and frustration in ways that endanger their lives and those of others. In crime, in assault, and in taking the drugs they believe will numb their pain.
They hurt so they want to hurt others.
The abuse of illegal and legal substances amongst our youth is of particular concern. In the past few years, hard drugs like tik, crack and heroine have become ever more available to our young people. And what may begin as entertainment, or an effort to block out the pain of the real world, can end up building a prison for its users - a terrible trap from which they cannot escape. It is pointless blaming or condemning the addicted. They are helpless ? and need our intervention and help.
I believe that society needs to ask itself a very important question. What are we doing - as individuals and communities - to create a better world for our children to inherit. We need to ask ourselves what we should be doing now so that young people can thrive and grow.
As adults and community leaders, I believe our role is to act against those who seek to corrupt our children. This means that we need to target the gang leaders and drug dealers who have moved in to exploit young people. It means that we must close the drug houses and lock up the criminals. It means we must deal without mercy with those who undermine our efforts to build a better life. They are the enemy, for they threaten to destroy our hopes and ambitions in our democracy.
The second thing we need to do - as communities and individuals - is to help young people caught in the endless cycle of drugs and crime. This we can only do with understanding, patience and firmness. As adults, we need to set the boundaries and respect them ourselves. In other words, we need to lead by example. Rehabilitation is crucial. Diversion under the new Child Justice Bill will offer ways for young people to turn away from crime. But we have a crucial role to play - as politicians, as leaders and as parents. If we do not lead, we give our children no model to follow.
This government has committed itself to the roll-out of an extensive campaign against substance abuse in our province. We have promised that we will act against drug houses and dealers, and that we will help educate our young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
But we cannot hope to do this without the assistance of young people themselves. And it is here that we need to look to the kind of young people who see clearly and provide the kind of leadership young people need.
This points, I think, to the enormous significance of what we are doing here today.
By appointing a Youth Commission in our province, we are saying to each and every one of the commissioners: go out and lead! You understand the trauma and struggle of young people. You know how hard life can be, and how crucial are the years that bridge childhood and adulthood. You will find the right words, the appropriate strategies, to reach our young men and women.
You have been honoured by your community and your province. You have been chosen because of your personal strength and determination.
You have been selected because you are representative of young people in this province. It is time now for your to represent our youth.
You have been selected because of your leadership qualities and moral integrity. It is time now for you to lead our young people.
It is said that: from those to whom much is given, much is required. You have been given the responsibility to lead and guide our youth. Much is required of you in performing your roles.
We expect great things of you.
