Johannesburg: The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has introduced Phase V of the National Youth Service (NYS) Programme, which will provide 100,000 paid service opportunities for unemployed youth across all nine provinces in South Africa.

According to South African Government News Agency, the programme was unveiled on Thursday in collaboration with the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI). It seeks to offer young people valuable opportunities through avenues such as community service, work experience, skills development, and civic participation, while also creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods.

The NYS programme is designed to allow young people to make meaningful contributions to their communities, gain hands-on experience, and support nation-building initiatives. The NYDA Board Executive Chairperson, Dr. Sunshine Myende, emphasized that the programme is intended to create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, education, training, and broader economic inclusion.

Dr. Myende highlighted that participants will benefit from practical workplace exposure, civic and leadership experience, and skills development opportunities. They will also have the chance to directly contribute to improving their communities. The programme also focuses on including young individuals from historically marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ youth, and those from rural areas, who face significant barriers to economic participation.

According to the NYDA, this initiative is part of a larger effort to address youth unemployment by providing young people with skills, experience, and opportunities that improve their employability and economic prospects. Interested individuals can register and apply through the SAYouth.mobi platform. Further details on eligibility, application timelines, and participation requirements will be shared via the agency's website and official communication channels.