Boksburg – President Jacob Zuma says the fourth Pan-African Youth Union Congress currently underway in Gauteng is an important platform to give youth an opportunity to reflect on matters of development across the continent.
“This task is important because we firmly believe in the African Union that Africa's greatest resource is its youthful population,” said the President on Friday.
Addressing delegates attending the Youth Summit in Boksburg, President Zuma said Africa has more than 600 million young people. However, this segment of the population faces tough challenges.
“While many African countries have made good progress with regards to socio-economic development, the majority of African youth continue to face unemployment, underemployment and inadequate access to education, health care, housing and other social necessities,” President Zuma said.
Themed "Youth Moving Africa Forward”, the congress is expected to deliberate on the following peace and stability, education and skills development, youth entrepreneurship development, international solidarity and the fight against HIV/Aids on the continent.
President Zuma said the Pan African Youth Union must leverage its position as the voice of young people. The President said the union must find innovative ways to ensure that African resources are optimally used for the benefit of all Africans. This, he said, will help to build a prosperous and united Africa, as envisaged by the AU in Agenda 2063.
“It is therefore incumbent upon the youth to forge unity amongst themselves and use their energy and drive to ensure the total success of the Agenda 2063. We look up to you to begin now building the Africa of the future.
“You will be the torchbearers in 2063 and you will be expected to hand over the baton of a better Africa to the youth then,” he said.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela said the youth must take their rightful place in advancing the development of the continent.
Young people, he said, must help to shape youth policies that advocate for youth playing a bigger role in finding sustainable solutions to youth employment, education and skills development, fighting the scourge of HIV/Aids and combating drugs and substance abuse.
The Youth Summit is being attended by various youth organisations representatives from various African countries, including the Congo Brazzaville Minister of Youth Makosso Collinet Anatole. – SAnews.gov.za
