Johannesburg, 29 August 2013 – Brand South Africa, in partnership with The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, will host a Play Your Part – National Development Plan (NDP) outreach programme on Saturday 31 August 2013, during which Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel will interact with Award participants from across the Eastern Cape, in East London.
This outreach programme is part of a bigger Youth Dialogue and Action Workshop which learners will be engaged in on the day. This will include a service project and young people will share their best practice models of service within their Award Units.
Brand South Africa Chairperson Chichi Maponya, who will deliver the opening address at the event, called on all South Africans, including young people, to play their part in making South Africa great. She said, “all sectors of South African society must play their part to achieve Vision 2030 through the implementation of the NDP. It is critical that youth become part of this conversation and implementation, especially since at least 25% of young people eligible for employment, are currently unemployed. Our young people must become more involved in their development.”
Meanwhile, the CEO of the President’s Award Martin Scholtz said South Africa’s diversity should be harnessed in the interests of the country’s national development agenda. He said, “the diversity of youth who participate in the Award Programme provides a unique opportunity for young people from diverse backgrounds to engage collectively in assisting to make the NDP a reality. It is only through inspired, purpose-driven youth that the realisation of the NDP is possible.”
Similar Dialogues & Action Workshops will also be held in the Western Cape and Gauteng, with the aim of highlighting the objectives of the NDP, as it pertains to the future of South Africa and the role of young people can play. Approximately 150 learners are expected to participate in each of the Workshops.
The Dialogue & Action Workshops are intended to create awareness of the NDP among youth in schools and communities, promote volunteerism, inspire and guide young people to address the needs of their communities and create a networking platform for youth from diverse backgrounds.
Media are invited as follows
Date : Saturday, 31 August 2013
Time : 10h00
Venue : Merrifield Preparatory School and College
N6, East London
About Brand South Africa
Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness abroad. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, in order to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.
About The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment
The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment celebrates 30 years of effective and sustained youth development in South Africa in 2013. There are currently over 15,000 active participants drawn from schools (both state and independent), community youth groups, residential youth facilities and correctional centres nationally. The aim of the Award Programme is to provide a holistic framework for purposeful self-development of young people between the ages of 14 and 24. The President’s Award is affiliated with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and the Patron-in-Chief, is President Jacob Zuma.
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Nadia Samie-Jacobs
Public Relations Domestic: Brand South Africa
Tel: +27 11 712 5007 Mobile: +27 (0)72 777 9399
Email: nadias@brandsouthafrica.com
Visit brandsouthafrica.com
Janine Hansen
Operations Director: The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment
Tel: +27 46 622 7273 Mobile: +27 (0)84 517 0363
Email: jh@presidentsaward.co.za
Visit: www.presidentsaward.co.za
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