22nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE IFP YOUTH BRIGADE
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
Emandleni_Matleng: September 3, 2000
RESOLUTION 1: THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY
Conference noting:
- the pivotal role that the IFP Youth Brigade needs to play in service delivery and development;
- the fact that political liberation alone has not succeeded in redressing the ills of the apartheid legacy; and
- that the people are still subjected to abject poverty, ignorance for lack of education, and disease
RESOLVES:
- to continue and intensify the true struggle for development, social upliftment, and improved service delivery; and
- to mobilise the youth to actively participate in every sphere of society to fulfil its necessary role and responsibility in South Africa’s development.
RESOLUTION 2: THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC
Conference noting:
- that the HIV/AIDS pandemic affects every South African and is particularly decimating the youth, who are the future leaders of our country;
- that our country’s economy and potential is diminished by the spread of this disease; and
- that a lack of information is the main obstacle to curbing the spread of this disease
RESOLVES:
- that the spread of this disease must be fought primarily at the local level, within communities, in partnership with government and civic institutions;
- to instruct the leadership of the Youth Brigade to initiate a comprehensive programme of prevention which focuses on responsible behaviour;
- to create local HIV/AIDS help desks to provide information and promote awareness; and
- to consult with international youth organisations in order to explore various strategies that could be employed in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
RESOLUTION 3: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
Conference noting:
- that youth development programmes form an integral part of the struggle for development; and
- co-ordination among South Africa’s youth in developing programmes has been ineffective and insufficient
RESOLVES:
- to promote greater visibility, participation and leadership of IFP youth in the various youth programmes and fora; and
- to lead by example by engaging in voluntary work within their communities.
RESOLUTION 4: THE STATUS OF YOUNG WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA
Conference noting:
- the essential role that our young women have to play in the development of our country; and
- that equality has been written into our legislation, but has not yet been fully translated into reality
RESOLVES:
- to encourage all young women across the rural_urban divide to take up their rightful place in our society;
- to promote self_respect and self_confidence in our young women, enabling them to take control of their own lives; and
- to change the mind set and attitudes of young women, enabling them to seize the available opportunities.
RESOLUTION 5: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Conference noting:
- the need to engender a spirit of entrepreneurship and promote SMMEs as the engine of economic growth; and
- that rural areas are the worst affected by the lack of economic development, culminating in high levels of poverty and unemployment;
RESOLVES:
- to request the leadership of the Party to mentor young people in entrepreneurial skills;
- to promote the training of young people in life skills and in the technical field;
- to promote the creation of business and technological centres to equip the youth with the necessary skills;
- to encourage personal savings through the creation of village banks;
- to negotiate mechanisms to release venture capital;
- to encourage Chambers of Business to involve young people in their activities; and
- to encourage our youth to be “job creators” rather than “job seekers.”
RESOLUTION 6: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR FUNCTIONAL CITIZENSHIP
Conference noting:
- that education is the prime tool for liberation;
- that human capital will be the primary commodity of the 21st century;
- that the national education policy does not provide for provincial autonomy to develop their own curricula and budgets; and
- that the principles of self_help and self_reliance are the pillars of a prosperous society.
RESOLVES:
- to prepare the IFP youth for their role of leadership in skills development and capacity building;
- to promote the development of skills centres and access to life_long learning programmes through regional bodies, NGOs and government;and
- to encourage the youth to become involved in voluntary in_service training to promote the revolution of goodwill.
RESOLUTION 7: YOUTH IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME
Conference noting:
- that the IFP Youth Brigade rejects all elements of criminality;
- that crime undermines trade, investment and our quality of life;
- that youth are particularly susceptible to the temptation of committing crime; and
- that youth need to become involved in community policing fora
RESOLVES:
- to request prominent figures to address the youth to re_inspire a commitment to law and order, and respect for authority;
- to establish Revolution of Goodwill desks at branch level which report on a regular basis to its principle structures; and
- to promote moral values in families and communities inspired by the spirit of Ubuntu _ Botho.
RESOLUTION 8: THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN PROMOTING PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND POLITICAL TOLERANCE
Conference noting:
- that peace and reconciliation are prerequisites to development;
- that this generation has a responsibility to advance the progress already achieved in the peace negotiations, and acknowledging the IFP’s consistent commitment to this process
RESOLVES:
- to seek joint cultural activities amongst the youth of South Africa to promote a better understanding and tolerance of one another; and
- that the IFP Youth Brigade must lead dialogue between all political parties to promote peaceful co_existence.
RESOLUTION 9: THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
Conference noting:
- that the IFP youth has a vital role to play in preparation for the forthcoming elections;
- that the IFP youth has the energy, dynamism and the will to secure an IFP victory; and
- that the youth should raise a standard for development of the individual, the family, the community and the nation
RESOLVES:
- to rise to the challenge of the President to unleash the full potential of the IFP Youth Brigade to take the message of the IFP into all corners of the nation;
- to ensure that Party agents remain committed to serving their constituencies; and
- to encourage the youth to voluntarily avail themselves to serve as Party agent and make the IFP presence prominent at all polling stations.
RESOLUTION 10: THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARTY
Conference noting:
- the heartfelt gratitude and admiration of the IFP Youth Brigade for the magnificent leadership of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi; and
- the President’s stature both here and abroad for his long and distinguished service to our nation
RESOLVES to thank Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for:
- relentlessly pursuing the struggle for development and genuine liberation in South Africa;
- accepting the nomination for his re_election to the Presidency of the Party.
And wishes furthermore,
to extend our hopes that he will enjoy a long life, good health and personal happiness.
22ND ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE IFP YOUTH BRIGADE
ELECTION OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
ULUNDI : SEPTEMBER 3, 2000
Chairman: Mr MB Khawula
Deputy Chairperson: Ms VZ Magwaza
Secretary: Mr Nketu Katima
Treasurer: Mr SE Nkwanyana
Publicity Secretary: Mr Lucky Mthethwa
Members:
Ms Somikazi Deyi : Western Cape
Mr Tsepo Shabalala : Mpumalanga
Ms Margaret Arnold : Northern Cape
Mr Xolani Mbutho : KwaZulu-Natal