Assessment of the role and impact of the Eastern Cape provincial government's social cluster on youth development in Buffalo City

Abstract

Youth in South African context as referred to other pieces of legislations are all those young people irrespective of race, gender and sex between the ages of fourteen (14) and thirty five (35). This population group in the country and all over the world consists of majority of the general population. Young people in Buffalo City municipal area and in the country in general continues to live in poverty and under-development fifteen years in this country's young democracy despite the historically massive role they have played in the liberation for freedom of this country. Based on the above statements, this research study will make an assessment of the role and impact of the Provincial Government's Social Cluster departments on youth development with focus area being Buffalo City municipal jurisdiction. Buffalo City Municipality being the local municipality on the area being researched will also be assessed. Academic literature consulted during the research study also indicated that young people continue to be marginalized and remained in the periphery of the society. They are not actively involved and contributing effectively in the socio­economic development of the country. They all highlighted different reasons which contribute to the current living situation of young people. The situation further resulted to youth loosing hope in their government in terms of their development and that of the country. They are not contributing or playing the role they are suppose to play in any developing country and majority of them remain economically inactive and that leads them to participate in criminal and illegal activities. These government departments and the municipality also revealed that indeed they were facing huge challenges in addressing the needs and challenges of young people due to various reasons. They cited among other things the following reasons for poor performance in addressing needs of young people.