Budget irks NYDA, says not enough money
2012-02-23 17:46
Johannesburg - The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is disappointed about the reduction of its annual budget, chairperson Andile Lungisa said on Thursday.
"After the consecutive successes that the organisation has achieved over the past two years... we are extremely disheartened to announce that the NYDA targets for the... financial year will be reduced," he told reporters in Cape Town, according to a copy of his speech.
"We are disappointed that government has decided to drastically reduce the NYDA budget, especially considering the depth and extent of the [organisation's] expanded mandate which... focused on enhancing and ensuring youth participation in the economic development of South Africa."
Lungisa said it was regrettable that a body such as the National Rural Youth Service Corps received a budget increase, while the NYDA had its budget cut.
"It is disappointing that the organisation with the sole mandate to look after young people has had its budget allocation for the 2012/2013 financial year cut."
Lungisa said R405m was allocated to the NYDA during the 2010/2011 medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) announcement.
"However, the 2012 to 2015 MTEF announcement indicates that the NYDA has only been allocated R376m for the 2012/2013 financial year."
There were several calls to disband the NYDA after it hosted an unsuccessful World Festival of Youth and Students festival in December 2010.
The nine-day event, dubbed the "kissing festival" after delegates were seen playing kissing games while waiting for sessions to begin, was plagued by disorganisation and was reportedly R100m over budget.
Several speakers failed to turn up. The NYDA reportedly spent millions on balloons, confetti, musicians, poets, backpacks, caps, golf shirts, bottled water and even a tombstone for the festival.
- SAPA
