…as parly engages youth on development Bill

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Cluster has engaged youth in a stakeholder presentation on National Youth Development Bill of 2024, an ongoing consultation.

The Bill is a step in establishing the awaited National Youth Council which will pay a role in decision making, resource allocation and developmental opportunities for the youth.

In an interview with Public Eye this week, EarthCare Alliance Executive director, Kopano Khama, said the platform is what they have always dreamed of as the country’s youth.

He said young people have been demanding to be engaged and involved when it comes to youth issues, appealing that similar platforms be created to tap into the aspirations of the youth.

He said: “The engagement was helpful to us as an organization to keep our herders’ advocacy going, inclusive of other youth sectors in the country – all of whom are major stakeholders.”

Khama said the enactment of the Bill will assist them to develop a structure or a youth governing body (National Youth Council) that has long left a void between national government and the youth in terms of a stake in decision making, resource allocation and developmental opportunities for the youth.

He noted that the platform was a good move and it is the right thing to do since the youth have never been engaged in validating the Bill, highlighting the youth war-cry ‘Nothing for the youth without youth.’

In a separate interview, the chairperson of the cluster, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, said the youth had been roped in to add input on what they wish to see included or left out in the Bill.

He revealed that no major decision on the Bill have been made to date. The committee is yet to go for public hearings to source more input.

“Afterwards, we will then decide on points to take into consideration,” said Makhalanyane.

Last year SECTION 2 threw its weight behind the passage of the Youth Development Bill as well as the speedy establishment of the National Youth Council elections. The lobby group highlighted the need to address the critical pending matters that directly impact the youth.

“The finalisation of the Youth Development Bill and the expeditious organisation of the National Youth Council elections cannot be delayed further. The commitment made by the Minister of Finance to accomplish these crucial tasks within the current fiscal year must be honoured,” read a statement issued by SECTION 2 in support of the youth.

In the 2023/24 fiscal budget Minister Matlanyane pledged finalisation of the Youth Development Bill and mobilization of resources to hold National Youth Council elections.

“We will continue to disseminate the National Youth Policy to the youth of Lesotho and our stakeholders to increase awareness of this policy document,” she said.

Both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 budget speeches have not put forward anything tangible with regard to the promulgation of the Bill and holding of the National Youth Council elections.

Matlanyane’s 2025/26 budget presentation has similarly failed to touch on the two issues, except highlighting the reopening of ‘Matheko Vocational School in Thaba-tseka, which equips youth with essential vocational skills, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation.

The Youth Development Bill of 2024 is a legislative proposal that aims to implement the rights of the youth.

Currently, the Bill remains pending finalisation to graduate into an Act that will address youth challenges as well as create organised platforms that will advocate and see inclusive youth representation in the country.