The ANC Youth League marched to the Premier’s Office in Kimberley, calling for jobs and business opportunities for young people.
THE ANC Youth League (ANCYL) marched to the Premier’s Office in Kimberley, calling for jobs and business opportunities for young people.
It was noted during Friday’s youth march that the bank account of the ANCYL was “active, yet empty” and that the party’s provincial executive committee was unable to assist them in replenishing the account.
ANCYL provincial chairperson Venus Blennies pointed out that many graduates were sitting at home unemployed.
“Young people have come to express their anger and frustrations against the horrifying conditions in the Province,” said Blennies. “We are poor, young people from working class backgrounds who are overwhelmed by the increasing unemployment rate.”
She stated that both the public and private sector were not equipping the youth with skills.
“All interns, community health workers and assistant teachers must be offered full-time employment in the Province. All mines must develop a funding model to provide bursaries to ease the burden of provincial government.”
Blennies also urged the provincial government to declare a water crisis and to act with speed to address this “ticking time bomb”.
“SMMEs and investors need to know that businesses have a constant flow of clean drinking water at all times. We are disgusted by the impact that water shedding and poor service delivery is having on small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that are owned by young entrepreneurs. Local SMMEs and young business owners are not offered any support.”
She called on law enforcement agencies to take action against illegal foreign shop owners who were selling expired goods to the community. “They are jeopardising the health of our people while many are not paying taxes and are selling counterfeit goods.”
She also urged for the establishment of a minimum of one technical school in each district of the Province.
“Government must avail land for commercial purposes and the development of the Province.”
Blennies expressed concern over the high rate of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Province.
“It is now enough. Government and all employers, as well as civil society organisations and communities, must take a firm stand against GBV and ensure gender equality and economic inclusion of women and young people”
Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul announced the establishment of a youth ministry in the Province when he accepted the memorandum from the ANCYL.
“Government is aware of the societal issues facing the youth including unemployment and alcohol and drug abuse. Young people have lost hope. We need to nurture the youth because the next premier is standing here amongst us. We need radical youth who will fight for burning issues,” said Saul.
He added that he would meet with the Progressive Youth Alliance to find solutions to the concerns raised in the memorandum.
“Not everyone wants to work for government, some want to be entrepreneurs and to create employment and we need to make this possible.
“We should have a doctor from each town as currently, after training, medical doctors leave for other provinces.”
