President should prioritise youth unemployment and education
Solutions expected in the SONA, not a wish list.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Like the country and the international community, especially the investors waiting anxiously for President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address, the National Freedom Party Youth Movement has added their voice on what Zuma’s speech should focus on.
1. Clear strategies to fight against the escalating youth unemployment
“We expect the President to finally walk the talk and allocate a minimum percentage across all government departments on the number of jobs that must be given to young people, because we are tired of theories and empty promises.
“We don’t want exaggerated figures of ‘job opportunities to be created’, but we want concrete practical things which will change the lives of young people.
“We demand that 60 per cent of employment across all government departments must be allocated to young people, including the issue of the exit age for MPs, which we believe should be 70 years. We expect the President to also come up with strategies which will force the private sector to employ young people, because currently the private sector do as they please as there’s nothing forcing them to meet a particular requirement on youth employment.
“We also wish the President to look into the huge amount of tax which is charged to companies by SARS, as this results in difficulty for small businesses to create jobs for young people. Government needs to revisit the tax incentives,” said Maria Busi Tshabalala, Secretary General NFPYM.
2. Education
Government must revisit the decision of a 30 per cent pass rate for matriculants, which makes our country increase the number of learners who pass grade 12 but end up not qualifying for university entrance. The pass rate must be 50 per cent. This issue of quantity over quality should be aborted.
On the criminal elements within SAPS, we hope to hear from the President that actions will be taken against officers who are criminals themselves. But he must go beyond making threats, but act by firing this civilian who is a National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega.
General Phiyega is a shame to the police force and the danger to society in a current position she is holding.
“As the NFPYM we will be watching SONA, because we expect solutions this time and not a wish list,” Tshabalala added.
