Ramaphosa appoints new board members to NYDA for 3-year term
This comes almost four months after the National Assembly unanimously supported a shortlist of nine names for the president's consideration to take up the seven seats on the board.
President Cyril Ramaphosa answered oral questions in the National Assembly on 27 May 2025. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed new board members to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) for a three-year term.
This comes almost four months after the National Assembly unanimously supported a shortlist of nine names for the president's consideration to take up the seven seats on the board.
On Tuesday night, Ramaphosa appointed Dr Sunshine Minenhle Myende as chairperson of the NYDA board, with Bonga Siphesihle Makhanya as deputy chair.
Myende holds a PhD in criminology and forensic studies, and Makhanya holds a Bachelor of Commerce in economic sciences and has experience as executive chairperson of the South African Youth Economic Council.
The agency, established primarily to address challenges faced by the nation's youth, functions as a single, unitary structure addressing youth development issues at national, provincial and local government levels.
As the country's youth unemployment rate currently sits at 45.5%, the agency's new board has the colossal task of addressing issues that continue to plague the country's youth.
"The president appreciates the willingness of the board members to avail themselves for the national task of securing a promising future for the nation through the empowerment of young people,” said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.