We salute Mr President Mbongiseni Mbatha while we also have an interest in Student Leadership by ANCYL Ward 77: As the African National Congress Youth League of Alex La Guma we would like to wish the President of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, President Mbongiseni Mbatha all the best in his endeavors in the Youth of 20 Countries summit (a Youth Summit of G20 in Australia), as he departed yesterday as a South African Delegate. We are extremely happy as an organisation that after 20 years of democracy we can still correct the wrong accession that we are a lost generation, this indeed proves that we do understand that for our democracy to come to light it took President General OR Tambo to go around the world and lobby influential countries on the vision of a prosperous South Africa. We also take gratitude on the acts of Cde Mbongiseni Mbatha for using his office and academic background to take it upon himself in applying to be part of this initiative, this shows to us that although the level of student governance has dropped to corrupt selfish group of looters/thugs but we still have student leaders whom are still carrying the legacy of the Late President Mandela and former President Mbeki of using institutions of governance for the benefit of not only South Africa but Africa. We note the following as declarations of SA Delegation: *i) GROWTH AND JOBS CREATION* Energy should be added as a key point in economic growth discussions. Special attention to should be given to manufacturing as a driver of the African economy. Agriculture is important for the economy of Africa. The government should consider the relaxation of policies and regulations that restrict the youth from going into the agricultural sector The banking sector in the country should consider the funding of youth interested in agriculture by way of the government/municipality standing as surety for the youth that wish to go into the agriculture environment. Need to look into having structures in place that can accommodate training of the youth in a sustainable way, for meaningful economic participation Young people need to engage with policies that combat and address the issue of “unemployable unemployed people” Developmental capital with regard to entrepreneurship - as opposed to channeling funds into start- up costs for small business, rather opt for channeling of funds in developing the resources, entrepreneurs etc. *ii) GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AND MOBILITY* International exchanges of students should be encouraged to promote greater global understanding and nations should collaborate on research initiatives. Scholarships should not discriminate against culture, gender, nationality and race. Special attention must be given to immigration reforms among G20 member states to allow greater labour mobility and to remove trade and infrastructure barriers. Encourage periodic review of migration and immigration policies, based on the present and future employment needs of the labour market and the socio-political dynamics within all involved receiving and sending countries. Revise policies that excessively impede youth mobility, including: easing access to work and academic visas via mutual recognition of professional qualifications/diplomas; easing occupational licensing through a simplified bureaucratic framework; easing distortionary housing policy; and extending foreign students’ visas up to one year after graduating to ease the search for employment. While promoting youth labour mobility, mitigate the impact of the brain drain by supporting young migrants who are seeking to invest in their home country through fiscal agreements (finance deputies and central bank governors) between countries and reducing the cost of remittances. In parallel, support migrant return programmes and knowledge exchange and cooperation for returnees. This should be done to encourage a sense of accountability and patriotism to their home country. Removing obstacles to trade. This can be done by enforcing the agreements on a rules-based, transparent and non-discriminatory WTO-based trading system as well as on Regional Trade Agreements to boost emerging economies. Monetary Commission needs to be created to audit existing rating agencies Re-affirm the commitment needed for the implementation of the Basel III standards by the year 2019. Re-affirm the position of imposing a tax on cash flows directly connected with tax havens, closing tax loopholes exercised by third party countries Re-affirm the position of the establishment of a unified G20 countries job vacancies database for youth and promoting youth mobility. There needs to be recognized international qualifications, with regard to realizing the jobs database. *III. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT* Access to new energy markets: In African context, coal is cheaper to use for electricity, which means it is more accessible to everyone. Focus must continue to be on cleaner non-renewable energy resources, with nuclear energy as the second option and a long term vision of relying on renewable energy. The G20 should provide incentives for individual economies to implement the relevant policies that support the shift to the production and trade of new energy markets. G20 should adopt a peer review mechanism to monitor if member states apply to what is discussed. Agreements should be more binding. G20 countries should be encouraged to share best practices and knowledge on sustainable development. On food security: Develop a policy on how food is distributed. Youth should be trained and educated on food security through the implementation of agricultural extension facilities. G20 should acknowledge the link between food and oil prices, and thus put more emphasis on the measures to control the food price volatility. G20 Leaders must look at accountability reporting to monitor its food security development commitments and intervene appropriately. There is a need to invest more in small holder and informal farmers. African countries should be allowed to subsidize their agriculture areas More sources are needed for people in rural areas as well as proper training on farming methods. G20 nations should intervene to help people understand the concept of trading and farming. Special attention must be given to the cost of transporting goods to the markets to sustain farmers. On inclusive growth: In dealing with inclusive growth, there must be a minimum wage and policy to decrease the income gap. Decentralized distribution of funds – it should be specific as to where/which project will be funded directly and to monitor the usage. Governments must take center stage in the economic discourse, pushing for public private partnership that are mutually beneficial, ensuring economic growth and decreasing unemployment. Government to recognize, acknowledge and support the informal sector The success of international investments should be linked to the improvement of the standard of lives of people using HDI (Human Development Index) as a yardstick. Improve and expand the public transport Youth should be empowered in the form of training to be socially responsible as a form of return on investment. On sustainable infrastructure: Host countries are to determine what kind of infrastructure development is necessary for their states, when there is international investment. When there is internationally funded infrastructure development, at least 60% of the workforce should be from the country that is receiving investment. G20 countries need to have independent body that links the needs of the community with state intervention. All infrastructure development partnerships should have 50% youth involvement. Investment adequately in agricultural infrastructure. Other considerations: In terms of accountability, there needs to be a framework or a timeline in the communiqué; one year to reach a decision or have a plan The Y20 needs an evaluation process to check on progress or productivity. As the ANCYL we support the above cited declarations of the South African Delegation and affirm that they are at the interest of young people of Africa and we believe that the spirit of Biko, Tambo, Hani, Sisulu, Mandela, Ruth, Ngoyi, Albertina, Maxeke and many other fallen heroes and heroines will empower them in making these declarations to be the Worlds declarations through this Y20 summit to the G20. We also invite former student leaders to take keen interest on what is happening in student governance, and not only former student leaders but also other leaders and former leaders from different sectors. It is irresponsible for a former student leader and or any other leader to say Im not part of Student Governance, as the state of Student governance will have an impact on our Education system which will then affect the Country as a whole. Having a weak and corrupt student governance will end up in the creation of corrupt and weak graduates who never got sufficient academic support system because no one advocated for that during their time of studies. That will directly affect our Economy as we wont have innovative Scholars towards the Countrys development but personal unholy development. To the incoming student leaders do not create a traumatic future for yourselves, being corrupt and the excitement of getting R20k to R50k is not fashionable, for it is a petty lavish lifestyle of a very short time and immediately after bad luck fills your life, then you start leaving as if you are bewitched. When leading students you are an agent of change in many families (for Good or bad change). Look around yourselves and see how many former corrupt leaders that have self value; most of them do not because they sold their soul at a very cheap price. We all have a role to play in the Education Sector just like how our late great leaders did their part, its up to you on whether you fulfill it or betray it. By Mesuli Kama BTT Convener ANCYL Alex La Guma Ward 77
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 05:53:40 +0000