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The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has issued a strong warning to young South Africans about the rise of fraudulent adverts, fake grants, and misinformation online.
The agency says scammers are misrepresenting its services — including circulating false claims about a so-called fixed R12,500 grant, which does not exist.
What the NYDA Wants You to Know
In its statement, the NYDA stressed:
- All NYDA services are free — no one should pay to access them.
- The Grant Programme does not offer a fixed once-off R12,500 payment. Instead, funding depends on the needs of each qualifying entrepreneur.
- Updates should only be trusted from official NYDA platforms and government communication channels.
Risks of Fake News
The agency noted with concern that fake news and misinformation on digital platforms:
- Mislead and confuse the public
- Cause financial and personal harm
- Undermine democracy and values of truth and integrity
The NYDA urged young people to verify information before sharing and to avoid clicking suspicious links or sending money to entities claiming to represent the agency.
What the Real NYDA Grant Offers
The NYDA Grant Programme provides financial and non-financial support to help young entrepreneurs start or grow businesses. Legitimate services include:
- Mentorship and business consultancy
- Market linkages and business management training
- Youth co-operative development support
The programme does not fund activities such as gambling, pyramid schemes, loan sharks, or businesses based on alcohol or tobacco sales.
Call to Action
The NYDA says its campaign #SpreadTruthNotHype is aimed at protecting young people from fraudsters and building safer online spaces.
“We call on all young people to play their part in fighting misinformation and ensuring that our digital spaces remain safe, truthful, and empowering,” the agency said.
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