The chairperson of the Limpopo Youth Commission, Rodgers Tshivhase, dismissed allegations that the Youth Commission and its members are only visible during and towards the celebration of Youth Month.

Tshivhase was speaking during the Youth Commission´s young reporters’ cartel meeting held at Airport Africa Lodge in Polokwane last Friday.

The purpose of the young reporters’ cartel meeting was to provide members of the media with insight into the Youth Commission´s strategic plan for the remainder of the commissioners´ term and the 2007 youth month programme.

The Youth Commission also introduced its new chief executive officer, Goliath Tjia, to members of the media. Tjia assumed his duties in February this year.

According to Tshivhase, through self-representation, the Youth Commission last year secured representation in cluster meetings as well as meetings with MEC´s to raise youth matters. While giving the highlights of 2006, Tshivhase said that the workshops that they hosted on economic participation, human rights, youth and tourism, anti-racism, xenophobia, sexism and tribalism in various areas across the province last year were all successful.

He further described the designing of programmes as tailor-made for district youth groups and regions, improving the research capacity to ensure better co-ordination and the impact of youth development by various partners as some of the Youth Commission´s 2007 targets.

He added that they will also strengthen their marketing and communications unit in order to avail themselves to the media and to help respond appropriately to youth concerns and needs. According to him, the theme of this year´s Youth Month is "Deepening youth participation through service".

He further outlined schools visits, International Anti-Drugs Day, Memorial Lecture (about June 16, 1976), sexuality education and sports tournaments, youth parliament, and youth day celebration for young offenders, to mention but a few, as some of the activities still to be unfolded by the Youth Commission.

"We are not visible in June month celebrations only. It is just that, as members of the media, you seem to shift your focus to us after the youth month, you move on to focus on tourism month and other importance issues and totally forget to give us coverage. The development of the future generation is a partnership and it is only through our partnership that we address the challenges faced by our young people," he said.