NYDA Board Appointments Derailed – Again
FILE PHOTO: NYDA headquarters in Woodmead, finally a board has been appointed after a year later. PICTURE: kutlo J Mokhethi/MG
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0 CAPE TOWN: A portfolio committee and a select committee have jointly recommended names of seven youths to serve on the NYDA’s board.
The lawmaker’s house has adopted the report of the joint-committee after it has recommended that the process must be restarted.
In September last year, the initial joint-committee submitted a report for recommendation of seven names before the house. The Speaker of the house, Ms Thandi Modise sent it back to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for further consideration.
The committee’s report received heavy criticism from youth formations and organisations as well as individuals. The Republic Mail reported last year that the opposition party member of the committee raised concerns over the African National Congress’ mingling the appointment of the National Youth Development Agency.
It was reported that a leaked letter addressed to ANC deputy secretary-general, Ms. Jessie Duarte, signed by ANC National Youth Task Team convener, Ms. Tandi Mahambehlala and which listed recommended names for the board, also strengthened the suspicions of political interference.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) committee member, Mr. Luyolo Mphithi said the letter was proof that the final recommendations for the NYDA board were predetermined by the governing party.
In the letter, the list of recommended candidates were Mr. Sifiso Mtsweni, Ms. Karabo Mohale, Ms. Thuthukile Zuma, Ms. Paballo Ponoane, Mr. Lukhona Afika Mnguni, Mr. Gerald Molaoli Sekake and Mr. Avela Mjajubana, five of whom were on the list in May, excluding Mr. Mnguni and Mr. Sekake.
Further criticisms of the candidates the Committee had recommended for appointment was that the list was not inclusive and representative of the country’s demographics.
A statement issued by the house, concluded by saying, “[h]aving considered the advice and legal opinion received from the Office of the Speaker, the Committee recommended that the House adopt its resolution to restart, from scratch, the process of appointing the Board members of the NYDA.”
The committee will soon start the process of re-advertising to fill the posts.
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