Newly elected Kwazulu-Natal Legislature Speaker NN Boyce hosted her first sectoral Youth Parliament in Sibongile Township in Endumeni. She welcomed the delegates, who are the parliamentarians of the Youth Sitting, made up of the youth formations of all the political parties represented in the House.

The Speaker encouraged the delegates to hold constructive and vibrant debates under the Theme: “25 Years of Democracy: A Celebration of Youth Activism”.

The Youth Parliament is held over two days, 14 and 15 June 2019. On the first day, the House received an update from MECs on the implementation of resolutions taken at the previous Youth Sittings.

Other topics covered on day one included:

° Centrality of youth in advancing the
agenda of a de-colonized and free
education system;
° Ocean economy: Is the youth
strategically positioned to seize
opportunities?
° Emulating the youth of 1976: Youth
championing the agenda to build a
crime free society and combating
social ills; and
° Expediting land expropriation process
and skilling the youth to ensure
productive use

The delegates thereafter broke into commissions on Social Transformation
(Health; Social Development; Arts and Culture); Social Transformation Cluster2
(Education, Human Settlements and Sports and Recreation) ; Economic Transformation Cluster (Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Transport; Public Works; Agriculture and Rural Development). ; Governance Cluster (Office of the Premier; Local Government and Traditional Affairs) and the Security Cluster (Community Safety and Liaison).
Commissions were held and the resolutions taken in Commissions are recorded, marking the end of day one.

The second day, 15 June 2019, saw delegates and community members being enlightened on Public Interaction and Petitions Awareness followed by an Address by the Premier, Sihle Zikalala.

The Premier highlighted the strides government has taken in uplifting and promoting youth. He also stated that the KZN Cabinet is in the process of rolling out a R50 Million fund for youth owned companies and that this amount has been increased by a further R20 Million.

The last item on the agenda for the second day is the Youth Parliamentarians Debate under the theme.

“25 Years of Democracy: A Celebration of Youth Activism”