Premier Rasool said: "When this Government came into office in the tenth year of our democracy, one of our first priorities was to give the Western Cape youth their own voice. The legislation to establish the Western Cape Youth Commission [WCYC] was one of the most important deposits that we made toward the People's Contract to create jobs and fight poverty in my first hundred days in office.
"So, as we approach the thirtieth commemoration of the role that our youth played in bringing us to democracy, it is to our credit as a Province that at last we join the rest of our nation in appointing a Youth Commission.
"We have been through an exhaustive consultation process including the Legislature Standing Committee, advertisements in newspapers and discussions with youth structures to identify the best Commission members with the skills, representivity, experience and commitment needed. Today, we know as a Government that we can place our trust in these eleven young people to take forward our vision of the Home for All in the name of all our youth.
"We will rely on this Commission to guide us in our endeavours to build the social capital that we need in addressing the complex issues facing our youth, including: unemployment, skills deficits, gangsterism, drug abuse and poverty. This will allow us to ensure that our programme of economic development: iKapa Elihlumayo can benefit the youth fully.
"I want to place on record my sincere appreciation for the work done by the Standing Committee and its Chairperson Patrick McKenzie towards the finalisation of the Western Cape Youth Commission (WCYC). I have sent the names for gazetting so that the announcements can be made and the commission can be ready to commence its work by July 1st, 2005.
"Except in one instance, I have been confined to the short list provided by the Standing Committee. I needed to broaden the list also with women since the original short list of 20 contained only 4 women's names.
"The short-list provided by the Standing Committee was in order of those who scored most in the interviews to those who scored least. Seven out of that top 10 are in the Commission, 3 of them as full time members. The two other full time members are drawn from the next 5, in other words, within the first 15.
"I believe that the Western Cape Youth Commission (WCYC) is balanced; except that we could have improved on gender had we not had the limitations referred to earlier. But given the history of disadvantaged youth in the Western Cape, a balance of (5) Africans (5) Coloureds and (1) White, including four women, four rural and one youth with a disability should fairly represent the youth of the Western Cape. I believe that these balances are underpinned by exceptional skill and competence.
"I have decided to use the full provision of the law in filling all available places. The following is the decision that I have sent for gazetting:"
At 32, Vincent has a Higher Diploma in Education from the University of the Western Cape and has worked since 1999 in the Department of Labour, where amongst other responsibilities he is currently the co-ordinator of the Provincial Employment Equity Team.
He has held various elected public positions including current Regional Executive member of the ANC Youth League and SA Mobile Library Association Committee member and previously shop steward for NEHAWU, Provincial Secretary for the National Community Radio Forum, RDP Guguletu Labour Desk Convenor and various student representative bodies.
Vincent lives in Guguletu. He is fully tri-lingual and his other interests include the media and social sciences.
Thirty one year old Siyazi hails from Nyanga. He has just completed an Associate in Management Diploma to add to his Diploma in Marketing Management, IT training and MCSE courses.
Siyazi has experience as a Training Officer for the Ziphilele Organisation, Production Manager for Kwakhanya Productions, Deputy Secretary General for the Nyanga RDP Forum, Marketing Manager for the Buwa Theatre Company and Micro-enterprise trainer for the Community Arts Project.
Fluent in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans, his interests are reflected in his voluntary work for Peace Visions, the Music Art Theatre Dance Project and children's rights NGO Molo Songololo.
Ingrid is 25 and comes from Malmesbury where she is currently working towards an LlB through UNISA and has completed courses in Project Management, Youth Leadership for Development and NGO management.
She works as a Programme Co-ordinator and Youth Leader for the Olive Path out of Poverty programme amongst farm workers. She previously had experience working with Lawyers for Human Rights in various capacities as well as the Piketberg Advice Office from 1999 to 2000. She serves on various bodies including the West Coast College Council, Sondeza Youth Initiative and Bergriver IDP Forum.
Fluent in Afrikaans and English, Ingrid's interests also include Judo, motivational speaking, language and her Christian faith.
Twenty seven year old Ghalieb successfully completed his Diploma in Public Management last year through a bursary provided by his employer, the Department of Land Affairs for whom he does administration, procurement and is a transformation representative.
Physical disability from a diving accident at 11 [Ghalieb is confined to a wheelchair] has motivated his representation on behalf of the interest of disabled persons in the Department of Land Affair's Provincial Disability Forum and Employment Equity Committee and he was the Cape Technicon's Liaison Officer between disabled students and management.
Ghalieb lives in Bo Kaap, speaks English and Afrikaans and is highly committed to making the most of our country.
Ezelle is 27 and lives in White City, Saldanha. She is currently studying towards her LlB at the University of the Western Cape where she is an SRC member responsible for Public Relations and media. She previously worked in Law Enforcement for the Saldanha Municipality and as a Surveyor for Sea Harvest.
Her organisational involvement includes serving on the UWC University Council, Senate and Orientation Committee.
Ezelle is fluent in all three official Provincial languages and can speak seSotho. She is interested in public speaking, hiking, table tennis and reading.
Rudi Buys is a graduate from the University of Stellebosch B.Th (1998) and B.D (2000). He is currently employed as a Corporate Affairs officer at Media24 Head office, focussing on the iGubu Leadership Development Centre, motivational coaching and articles on leadership. He has experience as a Youth Developer for the Dutch Reformed Church in Stellenbosch; positions as Vice President of the SA Universities Student Council and Vice Chairperson of the Stellenbosch University Representative Council and has been selected to represent the Province internationally in various programmes.
Anthony lives in Parow and is a graduate in Development Administration with extensive experience working for the City of Cape Town as a Community Developer and Neighbourhood co-ordinator focussing on work with civil society, IDPs and community interaction. He previously worked for the ANC as a Regional and Constituency Office Administrator and has held office in various NGO, RDP, Policing and school forums.
Samuel lives in Rondebosch. His tertiary learning has equipped him with extensive knowledge in social science, politics, public policy and law. Samuel's organisational affiliation is extensive, including: General Secretary of the Young Christians Workers in the Free State Gold Fields, the SACP, SHAWCO, SASCO and the Young Communist League of which he is currently a National Committee member.
Tingwe's tertiary education from Peninsula and Cape Technikons has equipped her with a vast range of professional skills ranging from mercantile law to marketing research. She also attained a Marketing certificate from Protea College. She currently is employed at Prowalco as a Regional Maintenance co-ordinator assistant. She is deeply involved in Anglican and ANC youth structures.
Conray comes from Knysna where he lives with his wife and works for the Municipality as an Administration Officer. He is a qualified Electrical Engineer and has his N6 in Computer technology. He is the Youth President of the Griekwa National Conference of South Africa.
Funeka attained a diploma in Social Science from Protea College in 1995 and has since worked in child care, gender matters [including the Commission on Gender Equality] and advertising. She is a member of the ANC Youth League National Executive Committee.
For any further input or clarification please contact: Clayton Wakeford by email.
