JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially appointed seven new board members to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), marking a renewed commitment to tackle South Africa’s growing youth unemployment crisis. The appointments come nearly four months after the National Assembly unanimously endorsed a shortlist of nine candidates for the president’s final consideration.
In a statement released Tuesday night, Ramaphosa confirmed that Dr. Sunshine Minenhle Myende will serve as the new chairperson of the NYDA board, with Bonga Siphesihle Makhanya named as the deputy chairperson. Both bring substantial experience in youth development, governance, and economic policy.
This new NYDA board will serve a three-year term, and its formation comes at a critical time as the country faces a 45.5% youth unemployment rate—a national emergency that continues to threaten long-term economic stability and social cohesion.
Ramaphosa Announces New Leadership for NYDA
The NYDA was established as a centralized agency to coordinate and promote youth development efforts across all levels of government—national, provincial, and local. Its mission is to advance the interests of young South Africans through targeted programmes focused on education, entrepreneurship, job creation, and skills development.
With the latest appointments, Ramaphosa has reiterated his administration’s goal of building an inclusive economy that empowers the youth to be active participants in national development.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated, “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.”
The president’s announcement follows a rigorous selection process, which began in March when Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities released a shortlist of nine qualified candidates. That shortlist was endorsed by the National Assembly and sent to Ramaphosa for final approval.
Dr. Sunshine Minenhle Myende, now chairing the board, holds a PhD in criminology and forensic studies. She brings a strong academic background and years of experience in public sector strategy and policy development.
Her deputy, Bonga Siphesihle Makhanya, holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economic Sciences. He previously served as the executive chairperson of the South African Youth Economic Council, where he advocated for pro-youth economic policies and helped shape initiatives supporting young entrepreneurs.
The full list of appointed NYDA board members includes individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, ensuring a well-rounded leadership team capable of tackling complex challenges facing South African youth today.
President Ramaphosa has consistently emphasized the need for structural reforms that prioritize the needs of young people. Under his leadership, several initiatives have been introduced, including the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) and the Youth Employment Service (YES), aimed at creating work opportunities for youth in both the public and private sectors.
However, critics argue that these initiatives, while commendable, have yet to make a significant dent in the staggering youth unemployment numbers. The new NYDA board will now be tasked with aligning its strategy more closely with Ramaphosa’s economic recovery plan and ensuring measurable impact on the ground.
This includes expanding access to funding for young entrepreneurs, enhancing vocational training programs, and increasing coordination among government departments and stakeholders involved in youth empowerment.
South Africa’s youth are not just its future—they represent a growing segment of the population that needs urgent and sustained investment. The new NYDA board enters its term with high expectations and an enormous mandate: to implement innovative, scalable solutions that address joblessness, skills mismatch, and economic exclusion.
Key to their success will be their ability to collaborate across sectors, including education, business, and civil society. Transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making will also be essential to restoring trust in the agency and delivering real change.
Experts say Ramaphosa has now put the right leadership in place, but the board’s impact will depend on their execution and ability to navigate the political and economic landscape with agility and integrity.
As the country prepares for upcoming economic policy reviews and possible cabinet reshuffles, Ramaphosa’s appointments to the NYDA are being seen as part of a broader strategy to stabilize institutions and prioritize youth issues at the highest level of governance.
In a country where nearly one in every two young people is unemployed, the work of the NYDA is not just important—it is vital.
The hope now is that this refreshed board will bring energy, innovation, and urgency to its mandate and that, under the guidance of President Ramaphosa, real progress can be made in unlocking the potential of South Africa’s young people.
Source- EWN
