A hybrid provincial youth parliament will be held in Kuruman on Monday to celebrate Youth Month.
A HYBRID provincial youth parliament will be held in Kuruman on Monday to celebrate Youth Month.
Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (NCPL) spokesperson Carmen Gopane said young people would be able to voice their concerns on issues affecting them including unemployment, poverty, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, limited access to technology and the evident gap between rural versus urban youth.
Gopane added that focus would be paid to youth living in rural areas such as Bendel, Dithakong, Loopeng and Tsineng, among others, to provide an opportunity for them to engage provincial legislature and members of the standing committee on constitutional affairs, petitions and public participation.
“The provincial legislature is cognisant that youth have the power to become change-makers and that they have the ability to change their circumstances and environment. The session will be chaired by the chairperson of the standing committee on constitutional affairs, petitions and public participation, Lesole Dichaba.”
She said that the sitting, from 9am until 3pm, to would focus on the “triple pandemics” facing the youth – gender-based violence and femicide, suicide and substance abuse – that affect all five districts of the Province.
“Youths will be encouraged to study the National Youth Policy 2020-2030 to track and monitor progress on the youth development outcomes made to date.”
Gopane indicated that the proceedings would be broadcast live on the legislature’s social media platforms, MS Teams and local community radio stations.
“Written submissions that are submitted to the standing committee on constitutional affairs, petitions and public participation will be included in the final youth parliament report that will be tabled in the house.”
