High unemployment rate concerning in Alexandra

The high unemployment in Alexandra township is regarded as a scourge by a local councillor who linked it to the soaring crime.

“It derives from and perpetuates poverty mostly among able-bodied youth who in desperation to survive, engage in criminal activities regardless of who the victims are. This crime perpetuates when residents also do not question suspicious criminal lifestyles,” said ANC proportional representative councillor for Alexandra, Sandile Kenneth Mgaga.

The crimes, he added, were violent and often conducted by offenders who were drunk and on drugs to numb their feelings when they robbed or killed their victims for their belongings.

“Alex needs to be controllable again through the revival of street committees patrolling their areas, where necessary boom gates should be erected to control access and exit. Residents should be urged to pay for their [boom gates] operation and maintenance through affordable fees.”

This, Mgaga added, would help create a culture of self-governance among the residents and assist government tiers to affect democracy and the rule of law. “Police alone will not win the war against crime,” he said which had also crept into schools where ill-discipline among children later led to criminal conduct after school.

He talked of a past when residents applied ‘people’s power’ to change the management of non-performing schools saying this brought changes to among others, Kwabhekilanga Secondary School which is now the top performer in the township. “Bringing back discipline in schools will improve performance if parents also commit and contribute resources like in counterpart good performing private and public schools. Only R500 that is contributed per child will make our schools flourish through additional essential materials, hiring of additional teachers to reduce workload, improve professional support, create a conducive environment for learning through clean toilets and eliminate offensive graffiti on school walls.”

Also, he said the resources would be used to hire professional coaches to lift the schools from mediocrity in sports while also unearthing talent in less academically inclined children who could use their gifts in professional careers.

Mgaga further urged that public facilities should be used what they were intended for. “They are solely for public empowerment initiatives and not to be rented for private use. They should be centres for skills training and job creation and places to go to when in need of public service and support,” he added, referring to SanKopano Community Centre which he claimed hosted many private entities.

He urged the government to increase human resources and services dealing with cases of child and women abuse at the local police station. “More of quality services at the station will encourage victims to report perpetrators when they see them being successfully prosecuted by the courts.”

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