Dear Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities,

I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the recently conducted interviews for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board appointments. Having followed the process closely, it is evident that the quality of the majority of the shortlisted candidates did not reflect the depth of talent and leadership within South Africa’s youth sector. This raises serious concerns regarding the transparency, rigor, and fairness of the shortlisting process.

With over 1,400 applicants for the NYDA Board, it is deeply concerning that several of the 20 shortlisted candidates performed poorly in their interviews and presented substandard CVs. Given the strategic importance of the NYDA and its substantial budget allocation of nearly R800 million, it is imperative that the individuals appointed to the Board possess strong leadership skills, financial acumen, and a deep understanding of youth development challenges and opportunities.

Key Concerns:

Quality of Shortlisted Candidates – Several candidates displayed a lack of preparedness and understanding of critical youth development issues, raising questions about the shortlisting criteria used.

Possible Inconsistencies in Selection Criteria – It is unclear whether a standardized and rigorous assessment was applied to all candidates fairly.

Exclusion of Highly Competent Candidates – Given the large pool of applicants, it is unlikely that only a handful of capable candidates existed, suggesting that some strong candidates may have been overlooked.

Risk to the Integrity of the NYDA – If the Board is comprised of underqualified individuals, the risk of ineffective leadership, mismanagement of resources, and failure to serve South Africa’s youth effectively is high.

Recommendations:

In light of the above, I strongly recommend the following:

Re-evaluation and Re-Shortlisting – The shortlisting process should be redone with a more rigorous screening of CVs and professional competencies to ensure that only the most capable candidates proceed to interviews.

Transparent and Justifiable Criteria – The Committee should publicly outline the specific criteria used to assess and shortlist candidates to enhance accountability and credibility.

Involvement of Independent Experts – Consideration should be given to including independent experts in youth development, governance, and financial oversight in the shortlisting process.

Public Engagement and Oversight – Greater transparency in the recruitment process, including public disclosure of candidate evaluations, can enhance trust in the final appointments.

Given the significant responsibility that comes with serving on the NYDA Board, it is crucial that only the most qualified individuals are entrusted with this role. The youth of South Africa deserve a leadership team that is competent, visionary, and committed to real impact.

I urge the Committee to consider these concerns seriously and take appropriate steps to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process. I would appreciate an acknowledgment of this submission and would welcome any further discussions on this matter.