Ziggy Adam elected SNYC board chairperson |20 May 2015

Ziggy Adam beat two other candidates to be elected the chairperson of the board of directors of the Seychelles National Youth Council for a two-year mandate.
This was during the council’s annual general meeting held last Saturday at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education.

In the secret ballot-voting, youths from Mahé, Praslin and La Digue also elected Curtis Lespoir as vice-chairperson from a list of five. Henrico Ernesta, Bryna Felix, Anael Bodwell, Trevor Louise and Andy Labrosse are the five ordinary members.

They will all serve on the board for the next two years. The candidates are members of affiliated groups, district youth bodies and post-secondary institutions.
In his acceptance speech, newly elected chairperson Adam thanked the outgoing members and pledged to build on the work they have already undertaken.

He said: “We will continue from where you are handing over and ensure that we help the council reach a higher standard.”

Before the election took place, the outgoing board’s 2014 annual and financial reports were read out.
The annual report, comprising a review of the activities and programmes for the year 2014, was presented by Naddy Zialor, the former vice-chairperson who also discharged the duties of chairperson since July 2014 when the elected chairperson, Vanessa Seth, resigned to pursue further studies abroad. Miss Seth, who is currently on vacation, was in attendance at the annual general meeting.

In his presentation, Mr Zialor elaborated on the various structural changes which have taken place to strengthen the council and the training provided to the members as part of capacity-building.

He also gave details of the various programmes of the council such as the Values for One Values for All programme and major events which saw mass involvement of youths, namely the National Day and the Youth Festival.

Beryl Payet, one of the inner island representatives on the board, presented the fiscal performance for the year 2014, detailing the expenditure of the various programmes and district activities.
SNYC chief executive Vicky Van der Westhuizen thanked the outgoing board members and emphasised on the significance of the youth being able to elect their own board of directors and called on all and in particular the new board to grasp the opportunity to make a difference.

One of the priority tasks of the new board will be the completion of the review of the SNYC Act, an assignment started by the outgoing board. The SNYC board normally meets once a month and both the chief executive and deputy chief executive sit on the board as ex-officio members.