South African Committee Advances National Youth Development Agency Amendment Bill

CAPE TOWN – The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities has endorsed the National Youth Development Agency Amendment (NYDAA) Bill. The committee, following a thorough review process, voted in favor of the bill’s desirability and adopted a report on public participation input.

Mixed Reactions to the Bill

According to Parliament of South Africa, some members opposed the bill due to disagreements over a specific clause related to employment equity. Despite this, they acknowledged that the bill was handled through proper procedural channels.

Background of the NYDAA Bill

The NYDAA Bill, introduced to Parliament on 9 June 2022, aims to revise the National Youth Development Agency Act of 2008. Its objectives include introducing new definitions, amending agency objectives, enhancing governance responsibilities, and revising provisions for Board member appointments and financial disclosures. Additionally, it proposes changes to the agency’s funding and authorizes the Minister to make regulations.

Public Participation and Responses

The public was invited to submit feedback on the bill from 30 April to 6 June 2023, resulting in 14 written submissions. A majority of these submissions (85.7%) supported the bill but suggested strengthening certain provisions. The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities addressed these submissions and amended the bill accordingly.

Committee Vote and Next Steps

In a critical decision-making step, eight committee members voted for the bill’s desirability, while two opposed it. The committee will now proceed to a clause-by-clause deliberation on Tuesday, 21 November, focusing on the A- and B-list aspects of the bill.