Ms Naledi Pandor, Minister of Education

Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Pretoria

Deans and Professors of the University of Pretoria

Mrs Rudi Horak, Manager of SciEnza Science Centre

Prof. Brenda Wingfield, Chairperson of the NSTF, and Other NSTF Board Members

Ms Beverley Damonse, CEO of SAASTA

Executive Director of the South African Mathematics Foundation

Executive Director of the Expo for Young Scientists

Mr Alfred Tsipa, President of SAASTEC, SAASTEC Leadership, and Managers of Science Centres

Leadership of Various SET Olympiads and Competitions

Educators

Volunteers

Learners

Ladies and Gentlemen

One of the greatest scientists of all time, Albert Einstein, once said: "It is high time that the ideal of success should be replaced by the ideal of service".

The word "servant" may have negative connotations, but there is nothing wrong with the concept of serving. Being a civil servant is something to be proud of, and providing a service should be seen as a valuable function in modern society.

As most of us know, the National Youth Service encourages the youth of South Africa to serve the nation and people in general. The programme seeks to enhance our country's social and cultural capital by getting young people involved in activities that develop their abilities while providing benefits to the community. The Youth Service slogan is "Proud to serve".

I am proud to be standing here today among young people who are committed to improving the quality of life of their fellow citizens by contributing to the development of science and technology.

A wide range of agencies are involved in implementing the National Youth Service, including government departments, municipalities, community-based organisations, NGOs and various private sector organisations.

Successful implementation of Department of Science and Technology's National Youth Service programme would not have been possible without the collaboration of the following, in particular:

·        The Umsobomvu Youth Fund;

·        the Youth Desk in the Presidency;

·        science centres and higher education institutions;

·        the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement

·        the South African Mathematics Foundation

·        the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists

·        the National Science and Technology Forum, which manages both the National Youth Service and the Federation for Engineering, Science and Technology Olympiads and Competitions.

Last year in September I launched the Youth into Science Strategy at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg.

The strategy highlights specific objectives, which include the development of human resources for the National System of Innovation, the development of a network of science centres, the use of Olympiads and competitions as interventions to identify and nurture youth with talent and potential, as well as the placement and support of successful graduates in strategic sectors.

I am pleased to announce that the Department of Science and Technology has made great progress in achieving these aims through the implementation of the National Youth Service programme.

So far, more than 100 unemployed science graduates have been recruited through a national call, and placed as volunteers at 22 science and technology institutions throughout the country.

Most of these institutions are science centres (like SciEnza), while others are partner organisations that are engaged in science and technology-related activities. Volunteers are placed in these host institutions for a period ranging from six to 24 months.

The idea is to integrate volunteers into the existing programmes of the host institutions so that they can gain experience while serving the communities in which the institutions are located. Some volunteers from the programme have successfully moved on to study further or take up formal employment.

I am overwhelmed by what has been achieved by the National Youth Service in such a short period. Since its inception in January 2008, the programme has arranged for volunteers to lend a hand in organising National Science Week, help learners in Mathematics and Science lessons and workshops, and assist with laboratory practicals at the science centres.

They have provided support to the facilitators of technology and computer training interventions by, for example, preparing teachers and learners for science expos, as well as developing valuable experience in a range of office and administrative duties.

Volunteers have acquired life skills and experience in project management and working with computers. And we are all aware of how important these skills are for participation in the mainstream economy.

We believe that at the end of their two years as volunteers, these young people will be much better equipped for the world of work or further education, and will be able to make significant contributions to the South African science and technology landscape.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my Department is very fortunate in having the National Science and Technology Forum to administer the Youth Service programme and FESTOC.

The NSTF is a long-time partner of the Department, and the Forum is the ideal home for these initiatives. The youth service volunteers can benefit from the large number of organisations affiliated to the NSTF, like other government departments, universities, industries and science-related professional bodies.

I would like to pay tribute to the NSTF leadership for their untiring support for the NYS in particular and the Youth into Science Strategy in general.

The volunteers based at the NSTF have also been playing an important role in coordinating the Youth Service.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the management of the various host institutions for their positive response to the National Youth Service programme. Thank you to you and your staff for placing, guiding, mentoring and supporting the growth and development of each volunteer in your care.

To echo the words of the inspirational thinker Earl Nightingale: "We will not receive what we idly wish for, but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service".

With the establishment of FESTOC today, the Department is now able to provide structured support to the affiliated Olympiads and competitions, and will be better able to get the thousands of youth with talent and potential to participate in such competitions.

We believe that with more young people participating we will be able to identify and support more of the bright sparks of tomorrow. Do you know that the IT billionaire from Cape Town, Mark Shuttleworth, was a participant in some of the Olympiads and competitions that are part of FESTOC?

Allow me to share with you some of the sentiments expressed by volunteers on being a part of the Department of Science and Technology's National Youth Service.

·        "I learn something new every week. This programme is so useful."

·        "The training – getting exposure to relevant knowledge and skills – is highly appreciated "

·        "We are getting learning skills that we can use in future."

Distinguished Guests, the National Youth Service is clearly the opportunity of a lifetime for any young science graduate. It gives them a unique chance to serve their country, gain skills from short courses and learn from seasoned scientists, decision-makers and possible future employers. 

 I am hopeful that some of the volunteers will join the science centre movement on a full-time basis. I challenge the management, leadership and governing structures of the various science institutions to expand their reach and involvement in peri-urban, rural, disadvantaged and other marginalised communities, by employing more staff from the pool of volunteers.

Finally, I would like to share a special message with you, the leaders of tomorrow:  It is when you give and share, even if you do not have much, that you are embracing the true spirit of service – a central pillar of ubuntu.

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, said "To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity."

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to formally launch the DST National Youth Service and the Federation for Engineering, Science and Technology Olympiads and Competitions. I wish you the very best in your endeavours.

Thank you.