# Summary

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/draft-national-youth-policy-2020-2030/summary/
- Published: 2020-03-03T15:24:12+02:00
- Author: dearSA

[ DRAFT NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY 2020-2030](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/draft-national-youth-policy-2020-2030/)

The National Youth Policy (NYP) for 2020-2030 (NYP 2030) is a cross-sectoral policy
aimed at effecting positive youth development efforts from local, provincial and
national levels in South Africa. It is developed by young
 people, for all young
people in South Africa, with the intent to redress the wrongs and injustices of 
the past and to deal decisively with new and emerging challenges and needs of the
country’s diverse youth.

This policy document for 2020-2030 builds on South Africa’s first and second NYPs,
which covered the period 2009–2014 and 2015-2020, respectively. It improves upon
and updates the previous policies by speaking to the
 new challenges that South 
Africa’s youth faces, while acknowledging that there is more to be done to address
the challenges identified in the previous NYPs. It takes into cognisance the realities
that the country’s economy faces, mainly sluggish growth and indeed the challenges
of Africa and the rest of the developing world, and identifies the potential human
capital inherent in young people as an untapped potential that should be harnessed
and employed for the benefit of the whole society.

The National Youth Policy (2020-2030) is informed by various national and international
legislative and policy frameworks. National frameworks include the South African
Constitution, the National Development Plan (NDP 2030), National Youth Service Development
Policy Framework (2002), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Act No. 54 of 
2008, NYP 2009-2014, Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS 2012-2016), NYP
2015-2020, mid-term assessment report on the implementation of NYP 2015-2020, the
25 Year Review (1994- 2019) recommendations. International frameworks include the
African Youth Charter (2006), the United Nations World Programme of Action for Youth
to the Year 2000 and Beyond (1995), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and various
other policies that are implemented by different sectors and aim to integrate youth

into the economy and society.

The NDP, adopted by Cabinet in 2012, is anchored on the Constitution’s vision of
a prosperous, democratic, nonsexist, non-racist and equal society. By 2030, the 
plan seeks to create an inclusive society that builds the capabilities of its active
citizenry. The NYP 2030 shares this vision, built on the belief that South Africa
has the potential and capacity to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality over the
next decade. This requires a new approach – one that moves away from passive citizenry
towards a socially and economically inclusive society in which people are active
champions of their own development, supported by an effective government.

This policy places youth as key players in their development and advancement of 
their communities, the nation, the continent and indeed the globe. They possess 
skills, knowledge, attitudes and capacities that, if well harnessed, can lift South
Africa out of the persisting challenges of high unemployment, poverty, inequalities,
negative health outcomes and underdevelopment. South Africa needs to create opportunities
and develop coherent, well planned and executed interventions that enable young 
people to develop and realise their
 potential. This policy avoids quick fixes that
divert attention from the complex institutional and systemic issues that need to
be addressed. It should thus not be seen as a panacea for all youth development 
challenges but an advocacy tool that aims to ensure that all levels of society views
youth development as key to the long term sustainable development of the country.
Tangible commitments, resourcing, action and accountability by all stakeholders 
working in partnership with young people are all vital. South Africa needs to develop
young people’s capabilities as part of a long-term solution to poverty, unemployment
and inequalities which will open opportunities for the youth to participate in and
take advantage of what South Africa has to offer.

The policy proposes interventions to enable optimal development of young people,
as individuals and as members of families, communities and South African society,
by investing in the enhancement of their capabilities to transform the economy and
the country. As part of the implementation mechanism, the Integrated Youth Development
Strategy (IYDS), will be reviewed within six (6) months following government’s adoption
of the policy and this strategic document will articulate in detail how the implementation
of the outlined interventions should be carried out. This policy can only be successful
through planned and resourced programmatic efforts and coordination among different
youth representative bodies, government and public bodies, civil society actors 
and the private sector. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework, containing
high level indicators will be revised and adopted within three (3) months following
government’s adoption of
 the policy in order to improve accountability to young
people and the coordinating Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities(
DWYPD) through monitoring, evaluation and auditing of various entities with mandates
and responsibility to implement the NYP 2020-2030.