Reported cases of S. African youth wanting to join insurgent groups draw concern

South African parliamentarians on Thursday voiced concern over reported cases of young South Africans wanting to join insurgent organizations.

The phenomenon is a threat to a stable continent as envisaged in African Agenda 2063 – Africa's long-term vision for development under conditions of peace, said Siphosezwe Masango, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation.

"This phenomenon points to a deeper need to educate young South Africans and Africans about their continent," he said. "The impact of insurgency is mainly felt in Africa and the Middle East where ordinary citizens are maimed daily, many children are orphaned, and infrastructure destroyed."

Last month, a 15-year-old girl in Cape Town was barred from taking a flight to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al- Sham (ISIS).

State Security Minister David Mahlobo said in parliament on Tuesday that "it was impossible to estimate the scale of the issue because South Africans have freedom of movement and could be sneaking out as tourists."

The Department of State Security has warned that although South Africa is not a breeding ground for recruiting terrorists, there are signs that terror groups like the ISIS are finding support among locals.

Masango said the African Union as well as all regional bodies have a role to play in ensuring that young Africans are conscious of their identity, colonial history, and the drive to make their future better.

"Once in full swing, African Agenda 2063 will address inter alia the shortage of skills, joblessness, inadequate infrastructure and underdevelopment, and rekindle industrialization," Masango said.

For African Agenda 2063 to succeed, peace and stability on the continent are of critical importance, he said. Endi