Hon Deputy Speaker, I want to take this opportunity first to congratulate our colleagues who are newly appointed as members of the executive. I especially want to mention the youngest executive member ever, the hon Mr Mduduzi Comfort Manana. [Applause.] We want to wish them well in their executive responsibilities.
On 16 June 1976 the youth marched against oppression. They marched fighting for better education, because they believed that it was their only hope for a better life. They were innocent, they were unarmed, and all they did was to sing and march against what they believed would make them worse off. The enemy then fired live ammunition, without retreat or conscience. The children filled the streets, running, screaming and calling for help, traumatised by the brutal adults in front of them. They were only children exercising a right to protest against what was being forced on them. However, the enemy did not see them as children who had rights, but as children who deserved to die.
As we commemorate this day, it is important for us not to forget the pain of the past, so that we can build a better future. This year's theme, "Education and learning to address youth unemployment, poverty and inequality", is relevant to both the 1976 generation and the 2012 generation. Even today, education is a tool to change the lives of ordinary young people in order for them to become better citizens.
My speech this year is dedicated to a young person in Orange Farm, whose name is Thando Tiger Ngoma, a founder of the Sisonke Agri Co-op Project that today employs 60 young people and addresses the issues of food security. He did this on his own, without any support. He started small, and yet today he is a small entrepreneur. We are hoping that he grows his business even further.
His Excellency President Jacob Zuma, in the state of the nation address 2012, highlighted three major challenges that South Africa is faced with, namely unemployment, poverty and inequality. These three challenges affect young people across race and gender, and especially in working-class communities.
Education and learning are a source of growth in communities to provide support in dealing with the challenges of youth unemployment, poverty and inequality. It is important for us as a society in general to support the War on Poverty Campaign led by the Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe. We call on government to intensify this campaign, therefore identifying change agents in the households that are being profiled. These change agents, being young people, will help change the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of their families.
The persisting growing inequalities will have dire consequences for young people if not urgently addressed. We continue to see the majority of young people in rural areas, informal settlements and townships suffering the consequences of these inequalities. They grow up in communities without recreational facilities, and with less access to services which are critical to their growth, such as libraries and laboratories. The plight of young black women in these communities also cannot be ignored, as they are more vulnerable to abuse and to being taken advantage of.
Currently unemployment in the country is at 25,2%, and 72% of that is the unemployment of young people. This poses a huge challenge, as the majority of these young people are unskilled and therefore have less chance of being absorbed by the market.
We need to call upon the private sector to stop being spectators, and to partner with institutions of higher education, especially FET colleges, in order to provide young people with workplace experience. There is a need for companies to seriously consider intense mentoring programmes to support the absorption of young people.
I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the presiding officers of both Houses also to play a part by bringing young graduates into their offices, either as interns or as learners, in order to give them exposure to how Parliament functions. Parliament as an institution needs to play its part in building better future leaders of our country.
In order to resolve these challenges faced by young people, we need to stop theorising and be more practical. We need all parties to come together - public, private and nongovernmental organisation sectors - and build a better environment, with opportunities for young people. There is a need for patriotic businessmen and businesswomen of South Africa to contribute to the development of young people because they believe in this country's future; to contribute positively because it is a good thing to do so; and to contribute because it is morally correct to do so.
Hon members and members of the public, the youth wage subsidy is the initiative of the ANC government. The ANC government budgeted for this programme and is committed to implementing it. [Interjections.] However, it is concerning that opposition parties, especially the DA, have been pushing government to implement this and have been disregarding the concerns of the stakeholders.
So, President Zuma and Minister Gordhan must just ignore a critical process of the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, and implement the initiative! This is inconsistent with what they are always saying, that the ANC government bulldozes things through without listening to dissenting voices. I can only imagine what this country would be like under the rule of the DA, if they were to bulldoze things through and forget the issues that other people were raising. It is cause for concern, and I am actually scared to think about this! There are concerns regarding the youth wage subsidy that need to be addressed. These need to be addressed because they are acknowledged by all parties.
We do not want to see what we saw when learnerships were implemented, where in some companies learners were given the responsibilities of making coffee and photocopying, rather than being skilled. These are some of the issues that have been raised and that people are saying need to be addressed. Young people in this country deserve better. We want permanent solutions to the challenges that they are faced with.
I would also like to express my concern about leaders who go around instigating violence by saying young people must rise like those people involved in the so-called Arab Spring. My understanding is that during this so-called Arab Spring there was violence and people died. I do not understand how you can be inspired by a process that ended with citizens' losing their lives. We need to condemn this totally. We cannot afford to have leaders who instigate violence in our communities. South African young people have been taught to resolve issues through dialogue and not violence. We saw this in the process towards democracy.
As I conclude, let me say that former President Mandela continues to inspire us as a nation. I would once again like to quote famous remarks of his. He said:
Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farmworkers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.
I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, this debate honours the youth of 1976 who, when faced with the brutality of a government that did not care about them, rose up and made themselves heard. As a young South African, I am always inspired by the example they set - of bravery, determination, hope for a better future, and literally changing the course of history.
South Africa today is a much more just and humane society, but millions of our young South Africans feel that they still live under a government that has turned its back on them. Nearly four decades ago a generation of youth rose up, and acted, and began a movement that would eventually topple a government. And the same will happen again if this government continues to turn its gaze from the many ordinary people who are the face of unemployment in South Africa.
They are people like Christina Mosito, whose story I read this week and it touched my heart. Christina Mosito is 22 years old and lives in a backyard room in Diepsloot Extension 2 with her mother. Although she has a diploma in travel and tourism from an FET college, she has been unable to graduate because she requires in-service training. Many of her former classmates are in exactly the same position. "Most of the jobs I see want experience," says Ms Mosito. "I have applied at Unisa, and other colleges, to further my studies. I would love to do a diploma in tourism, and I hope it will increase my chances of getting employed." In the meantime, though, she is looking for temporary employment, anything to help her pay for her studies, and to get some experience. "I'm up for anything," she says, "even restaurant work. I want to do something, because sitting at home is not doing anything for me."
Hon members, take a good look at these photos. Here is Donovan Abrahams, 27 years old and unemployed. Then there are Arnold Ndlovu, 30 years old and unemployed; Bongani Mondlane, 27 years old and unemployed; Aubrey Jantjies, 21 years old and unemployed; and Mjabulisi Jili, 21 years old and unemployed. [Interjections.] You have a job, hon member - do not laugh at them! There are also Andr Gates, 23 and unemployed, and Sharmima Vala, 30 years old and unemployed. [Interjections.] This is the face of unemployment! [Interjections.]
Deputy Speaker, is it parliamentary to say, "Don't laugh a damn", because the word "damn" is like "damned".
I didn't say that! [Interjections.] I didn't say that! I said, "Don't laugh, hon member - you've got a job!" These are the faces of unemployment in South Africa today, Deputy Speaker. When the DA asked unemployed youth to send us their photos, we received hundreds of replies in minutes. And there are roughly 7 million more photos like this in South Africa today. All of them are watching you and all of them are waiting, but they won't wait much longer.
If this government does not wake up to the reality of youth unemployment today and begin to act on it immediately and with the necessary urgency, it too will find itself at the mercy of a generation that is fed up, ignored, marginalised and angry. And it may already be too late for the ANC, I am afraid. You have ignored young people, and now they are beginning to ignore you. Just look at Matatiele. [Applause.] Even Zwelinzima Vavi has spotted the trend! He often seems to spot the trend first, even if he is the source of the trend! He has warned that unless you change your ethos soon, you will suffer defeat by the DA in 2019. [Applause.]
The fact is that all young, unemployed people who continue to hope for a more prosperous future now know that you oppose that vision - and we stand shoulder to shoulder with them! [Applause.] They look to a DA government that is already implementing the youth wage subsidy, that is growing the economy, that is creating jobs, that is delivering services to the poor, and that is improving the lives of the poor, a government that, according to the Public Service Commission, is the most inclusive and diverse government in the country. Sorry to take the wind out of your sails, hon Kubayi ... [Applause.] ... but you can't hide from the truth!
Nationally, things are not getting any better, hon member. On Monday this week we were shocked to hear that annualised employment figures for May dropped by a staggering 3,1%. That figure might seem cold, but what it really represents is thousands more faces like the ones I've shown you today. It is their plight and their prospects for the future which should weigh heavily on our hearts today.
Christina Mosito, and the many millions like her, just want a fair chance at accessing the job market for the first time. They need to get their foot in the door. Countless studies from nearly every developing country have shown that if a young person can get a job and keep it for at least one year, they stand an excellent chance of being employed for the rest of their working lives. But if they do not get a job within three years of graduating, they are more likely to be indefinitely unemployed.
That is why the youth wage subsidy is such a crucial policy intervention. It is not the panacea. [Interjections.] It is not the panacea, but it does open the door of the job market just wide enough for first-time job seekers to get their foot in. This is the bizarre thing about this debate, hon Kubayi. This is the bizarre thing - we agree on the youth wage subsidy! It doesn't matter who came up with it first. Take the credit - no problem! We agree. Every single member in this House, with the exception of a few maybe, agrees that the youth wage subsidy needs to be implemented.
President Zuma announced it in 2010. Minister Gordhan has budgeted for it - R5 billion. The KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize has declared his support for it, along with countless other people. We agree on this. That is not the debate. The only question you need to answer, hon member, is why, after two years, this government is still allowing itself to be dictated to by its union allies, who have never stood for election, who haven't a single seat in this House, and who don't understand the first thing about unemployment, because by definition they represent the employed. [Interjections.]
Deputy Speaker, I would like to ask if the member will take a question.
Of course! Of course! Do your worst!
Hon member, you were saying that ... [Interjections.]
But be quick! I have only two and a half minutes.
I am going to be quick. Are you confirming to this House and to the public that the youth wage subsidy was originally developed by the ANC ...
It is irrelevant where it comes from, hon member! It is irrelevant! We agree!
No, I am asking whether you can acknowledge that it is a policy of the ANC that ... [Inaudible.] [Interjections.]
Thank you very much. I understand your question. Let me tell you, it is irrelevant where it comes from. What is relevant is that after announcing it two years ago, you have let Cosatu determine your economic policy for two years. That is the question you have to answer today, hon Kubayi. That is the question on the lips of every unemployed young South African.
Deputy Speaker, the ANC and the DA are united on this policy. We are united in our support for a policy intervention that will have an immediate and tangible impact on unemployment. But we can't wait any longer for the youth wage subsidy, and young South Africans can't wait any longer. So, my message to the ANC today is this: Let's work together to beat youth unemployment. Tell Cosatu that they can't block a policy agreed upon by everyone in this House, and if they want to, they can stand for election! [Applause.] Most of all, please put the people ahead of your own politics, and implement the youth wage subsidy now. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, Cope wishes to pay tribute to the life of Asemahle Ntsabo from Mbekweni in Cape Town. She was a victim of child brutality and abuse, and was murdered. May her soul rest in peace.
Kusapho lwakhe sithi akuhlanga lungehlanga, thuthuzelekani. [To her family we say they must accept what has happened as fate; may they, be comforted.]
Hon members, it is a fact that South Africa as a nation comes from a very dark past. We are the product of racial division. This alone has contributed immensely to the socioeconomic divide confronting the majority of South Africans. Our youth are affected most by this venom of economic division. Cope admits that our society is extremely fractured, which is the legacy of the two nations economy. Many South Africans, because of the above, live in poverty and with unemployment.
We must indeed change the ownership patterns of the wealth in this country in a spirit of national reconciliation and unity for all. The lives of the black majority must change, and this we must do in solidarity, black and white. Also, all the youth of our country, black and white, must take hands and fight this divide, using one voice.
However, the approach of the ANC Youth League on economic matters is foreign to our democracy and does not represent the collective thinking of the youth of South Africa. It is a divergence from O R Tambo's call for a shared vision in building a nonracial, nonsexist South Africa. The ANC Youth League message is racist, and represents the divisive attitude of Hendrik Verwoerd.
I attribute the challenge of youth unemployment not only to the apartheid regime, but also to the ANC government. The ANC is responsible for today's bad policies. Amongst others, there are the lack of a clear education policy vision and inconsistency in policy choices.
Also, the private sector is lazy, and comfortable with business as usual. There is no investment in the economy of the future and in youth innovation. They do not support good business initiatives from the youth.
Speaker, the youth only hope that the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, has created laptop and restaurant entrepreneurs, people who do not create work but depend on tenders. We have not made the uTat'uMaponya and uTat'uMantuntu type of entrepreneurs. The youth of today are obsessed with wealth and money, not service to the people, and the ANC created that culture in this country. The majority of South African youth continue to be used for wrong reasons, for destruction in public protests and political battles.
It is said that more than 90% of the productive land transferred to the ownership of the people is no longer producing food for the nation, because of a lack of skills and of support for small-scale farmers. We need an agricultural revolution of young farmers - youth that are skilled in farming. Government must review its policy on land distribution. We must adopt a transfer that introduces partnerships with existing skilled farmers for the land that is transferred.
We must optimally use the capacity of the SA National Defence Force in training a youth brigade for a skills revolution. Let's draw the unemployed youth into the army, not only for national security, but also in the war against skills shortages. Our Further Education and Training, FET, colleges are not ready for this new struggle in our country.
In conclusion, in his book The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, Karl Marx has this to say:
Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves ...
We, the generation of 2012, must make history by celebrating the decision of the Constitutional Court on the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, Satawu, that if you burn up a street, break property, intimidate other citizens and block their right to protest, you will be punished. That, Chairperson, is true democracy in action. Our Constitution must be celebrated.
Long live the spirit of Siphiwe Mthimkhulu! Long live! Long live the spirit of Andries Tatane! Long live! Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Hon members, can we please pay attention and listen to other members? I believe that the hon Chabane will agree with me that this is one of the important debates of the year.
Before I call upon the next speaker, I wish to say that I am informed that this is the hon member's maiden speech. The tradition here is that we simply listen and hear what is said to us in the maiden speech.
Thank you, House Chairperson. Hon members, we stand in solidarity with the people of Chinese-occupied Tibet.
Hon Chairperson, at the outset and as this is my maiden speech, let me convey my gratitude to the IFP, under the visionary leadership of that great son of Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, for granting me the opportunity to serve the people of South Africa as a member of this Parliament.
Sir, 36 years ago the youth of South Africa, who were zealous and enthusiastic about education and committed to a South Africa free of apartheid, injustice and oppression, selflessly gave of themselves through courageous uprisings throughout our country. It is 36 years on and 18 years into our freedom and democracy, and we salute their resolute courage and honourable sacrifice, which contributed to our today being a politically free generation.
Yet, young South Africans today are struggling to get by. Patience is fast dwindling and hope is fast wearing thin.
Education must be improved, teachers must be capacitated, schools must be fully resourced, and skills development must be a priority. The youth wage subsidy must be implemented now. [Applause.] The Setas must get their act together. Labour laws need to be relaxed. Further Education and Training, FET, colleges must be refurbished in such a way that they become institutions of choice, not circumstance. Let us put an end to this foolish debate on nationalisation! Colleges of education must be reopened. Importantly, jobs, jobs, jobs and more jobs must be created.
As we celebrate the memory and legacy of the youth of 1976, let us redirect our focus, attention and commitment towards alleviating the plight of all youth. Let us genuinely strive to develop young men and women who will deliver our second phase of liberation, that of economic freedom - a liberation of opportunities that will improve our lives by creating jobs, eradicating poverty and fighting inequality.
The argument, hon members, that 18 years is not enough time to sort out our problems amounts to hogwash of the highest order. This argument simply does not hold water. It bears no merit.
South Africa, having only been at work on it for six years, was able to deliver a Soccer World Cup Tournament in 2010 that was beyond successful. The same energy, commitment and passion should be applied to improving the lives of all South Africans in general, and the youth in particular. The success of the World Cup Tournament proves that South Africa is not short of capacity. The current state of poverty, poor education, endemic corruption, and high levels of inequality proves that those in power lack, beyond all reasonable doubt, the desired and necessary political will, leadership and commitment to changing our country for the better.
In conclusion, the high levels of unemployment point to a failing system and a failing government. Government has two options: to shape up or to ship out. Failing that, 1976 will repeat itself sooner than we think. The IFP wishes all South Africans well as we celebrate Youth Day 2012. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, this is not my maiden speech but today is my birthday ... [Interjections.] ... and birthdays are a time when one reflects on more youthful days. In my youth I was filled with idealism and had a strong determination to change the world for the better. I have been immensely fortunate to have obtained an education that has allowed me to take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way to give some effect to these ideals.
I firmly believe, therefore, that every South African has, at the very least, to be given an education that grants them an opportunity to live out their dreams and ideals. In my discussions with the youth of today I still hear echoes of that idealism and the energy and determination to make this a country that works for all.
Unfortunately, though, that idealism is in too many instances clouded with a sense of anger and betrayal that they are not being given the education and opportunities to live productive lives. Practical solutions like the youth wage subsidy, which can provide a much needed step up, are thwarted by vested interests while the majority of our youth remain locked out of the job market.
The Deputy President yesterday referred to the situation in the Mbashe Municipality as tragic. I worked in that municipality and I have seen first- hand how children with all the potential and promise in the world are being denied anything resembling a quality education. Many of these children come out of Grade 7 not even able to read and write, and have to suffer the indignity of teachers' only coming to school for three days of the week! This is certainly a tragedy, and it requires real political will and leadership to ensure that the current lack of accountability in the education sector does not deny our youth the opportunity of living out their dreams.
The 1976 uprising was essentially about the youth rising up against an oppressive education system that was curtailing their opportunities in life. It is therefore right that we reflect on whether our current education system is offering the youth a real path out of poverty. Unfortunately for millions of South African youth, this is sadly not the case. In order to live up to the spirit of Soweto we must be resolute in our commitment to changing this. I thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you, hon Greyling, and happy birthday!
Chairperson, the June 16, 1976 Soweto uprisings represent one of the most effective efforts by the people of South Africa, the young lions in particular, in the fight against the diabolic system of apartheid. It is through their willingness to sacrifice their lives for our freedom that we are able to stand here today. We owe our political freedom to their gallant efforts.
However, for many of our youth around the country political freedom has yet to translate into economic freedom. We must remember that freedom is not just a political condition; freedom is also a social and economic condition. The political freedom the youth enjoy, without social and economic freedom, is a hollow concept.
The current youth unemployment figures are alarming, as you all know. So the youth bear the brunt of poverty and unemployment. We cannot easily overcome youth poverty without investing heavily in human capital development. Without investment in quality education, very few young people will be able to open businesses and create job opportunities for our people in this country.
In our efforts to address youth challenges we also need to do away with the culture of materialism which celebrates instant success and ineptitude. Too often we see the rise of politically connected individuals, who become instant millionaires. Now these overnight millionaires achieve this without any contribution to the gross domestic product, GDP, of the country.
In short we need an education system and a culture that celebrate industriousness, initiative and self-discipline. We need to establish a culture that celebrates hard work and dedication. We need more than just creating decent work for the youth; we also need a culture of decency in work in South Africa. Thank you very much.
Hon Chairperson, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen, let me, firstly, take this opportunity to indicate that I'm actually concerned by the fact that the DA has come here today to display or parade the photos of African youths, while in fact it is their predecessors who designed their fate! [Applause.] When our people were suffering under colonialism and apartheid, there was a saying in Xitsonga: "Vusiwana byi na xilandzu". [Poverty has the potential to persist from one generation to the other.]
What that meant was that hope would always follow you, as if it was God- given. This was because of the lengthy period our people suffered under colonialism and apartheid. Today they still come here and have courage to display the photos of African youths, saying, "Look at them - they are actually suffering." That, when they caused it in the first instance! The ANC ... [Interjections.]
Hon Chairperson, on a point of order ... [Interjections.]
Order! Hon member, I think there is a point of order. Is there a point of order?
Chairperson, yes, there is a point of order. This young speaker is deliberately misleading the House. I'm saying "deliberately" because our speaker never said "African" youth. They are South African youth. Please ask him to change it.
Hon member, you are the one ... [Interjections.]
Chairperson, on a point of order ... [Interjections.]
Will you take your seat? Hon member, will you take your seat? I am capable of dealing with this.
Hon Chief Whip of the Opposition, you are the one who is out of order now, because if you had said he was "misleading" the House, that would have been one thing. However, you are now saying that he was "deliberately" misleading the House. In fact, when one refers to the Rule Book here, one sees you are saying he was lying! That is not the language we should use, hon member.
Hon Chair, when the ANC used exactly the same words yesterday, the Chair allowed it. [Interjections.] We can't have double standards - one rule for that side and one rule for this side.
Hon Chief Whip, take your seat please. Hon member, continue.
Hon House Chair, on a point of order: Before the hon Makhubele continues, I want to note that the hon Watson called him a "young speaker". I want him to address the hon Makhubele as "hon member". It's unacceptable to address him with a reference to his age, even if he is young.
Hon member, I heard you. Hon members ... [Interjections.]
Chair, on a point of order: It is definitely out of order. The Chief Whip of the Opposition, who should know better and behave himself, knows that it is completely and utterly unparliamentary to say that someone is "deliberately misleading the House". I ask you to get him to withdraw it. He can't just sit down and say what he thinks about the situation. He must withdraw it.
Hon member Kubayi, let me attend to your earlier point of order. Hon members, it is unparliamentary simply to call hon members by their names. They are "hon" members. We need to use that term to respect them. They are members of this House and you respect them in that way.
I have dealt with the issue of "deliberately misleading the House". I dealt with it; I interpreted it to the hon Watson, and I will end the ruling there. Hon member, continue.
Thank you, hon House Chairperson. I am still saying that fortunately, the ANC is not just a political party ... [Interjections.]
Chair, on a point of order: Unless you are ruling that it is no longer wrong to say that someone is "deliberately misleading the House", there can't just be a ruling only; the member must withdraw the statement. I would ask that the House Chairperson please get him to withdraw the statement. He can't just sit there now and not withdraw it.
Hon Watson, let me indulge the House because I did say that you are accusing another member of lying and that is not how we speak in this House. Can you please withdraw that?
I will gladly withdraw that remark but, Chair, I must point out that ... [Interjections.] No, no! No, no, I withdraw it unreservedly, but I must point out that it is also ... [Interjections.]
Hon Watson, you must please withdraw it unconditionally and take your seat!
Chair, I just ask you to look at the ruling that was made at the meeting yesterday. I withdraw it.
Thank you. Continue, hon member.
From time to time emotions will rise, but we need to contain them. We need to handle them in the proper manner. I say this because we were equally emotional when we saw you displaying those photos. Indeed, I did see that most of the photos were of African children.
The ANC remains not just a political party. [Interjections.]
Order, please! Order! Order!
The ANC is a liberation movement and part of what we were doing was to liberate all South Africans, you included! We as the ANC have always represented fighting and winning ideas. Even this time around we will be able to lead the country in dealing with the huge challenges that we are facing, including the issue of the youth wage subsidy that you want to come here and brag about today. [Interjections.]
The country is commemorating Youth Month in the midst of an economic recession, which is exacerbating youth unemployment, poverty and inequality. Furthermore, the country is continually being hit by the structural unemployment of both adults and young people.
Most of our young people are either inappropriately or inadequately skilled for them to be able to take up the few jobs that are available. And, what is worse, there is a significant gap between the education and skills provision on the one hand and the economic expectations on the other hand. This means that as a country we are lagging behind in closing the gap so that every young person can get an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the economy of the country. The other aspect is that the country has no effective skills plan that will provide industry information to institutions of higher learning on the skills required for immediate interventions.
The country's economy used to need skills that could respond only to the mineral manipulation processes of the time. Today this sector is vulnerable to any economic shift. We have seen on the news since last week that Aquarius Platinum Mine in the North West Province is suspending operations at Marikana Platinum Mine, owing to the unfavourable trading conditions in the platinum industry. This means the retrenchment of over 10 000 mine workers, of whom the majority are in low skill level positions. Research studies have also found that the majority of mine workers have a low education level and, therefore, they will need reskilling, as their current skills may not fit in with other sectors of the economy. The retrenchment of these employees will add to the already alarming unemployment and poverty rates, and the livelihoods of their families will also be negatively affected.
Our democratic government has had to devise economic development initiatives that will respond to the global economic demands, instabilities in market forces, macroeconomic shocks and a rising unemployment rate. The country has had to start planning for the kinds of skills needed, and the urgent processes of offering such skills. This is no easy task, particularly if you have to work against time to deliver to our impatient, aspiring young people.
South Africa has made great strides in shifting its demographic profile towards greater population representivity and increased participation in higher education since 2004. The higher education sector is achieving the transformation objectives set out in the White Paper, one of which is to promote equity of access and fair chances of success for all who are seeking to realise their fullest potential through higher education, while it is eradicating all forms of unfair discrimination and advancing redress for past inequalities.
The 2010 general household survey found that 63,9% of those enrolled at higher educational institutions were Africans. There has been an increase in the number of female students in the institutions of higher learning. Currently, 53% of the total student population in higher education is female. Though there has been an increase in the number of female students at the institutions of higher learning, the throughput rate of female students is not well matched with the enrolments.
The report of the Ministerial Review Committee on the National System of Innovation released in March 2012 has revealed that, despite sustained efforts to increase admission to higher education for academically deserving but financially disadvantaged students, there is a continuing low throughput rate and high attrition rate or dropout rate at all levels of study. [Interjections.] You will be responded to in time. Give me a chance. [Laughter.]
The National Development Plan: Vision for 2030 has identified education and training as central to South Africa's long-term development. The world is shifting from a resource economy to a knowledge-based economy, and this will need well-educated young people to contribute to socioeconomic development. This assertion therefore makes higher education relevant, as it has the potential to contribute to the growth and development of the economy by producing high-level skilled people who are capable of doing research that will translate into innovations needed for the development and growth of the economy.
In South Africa only 11,2% of persons aged 20 years and older have tertiary qualifications, as opposed to 26,2% with Grade 12 and 37,5% with some secondary education. This poses a challenge to government to expand post- school education in order to enable the majority of those in Grade 12 to access higher education in order to improve their employability prospects.
The Labour Force Survey reported that unemployment declines as people achieve higher education qualifications. This simply means that those who are in possession of higher education qualifications are likely to be employed, compared to those who are not, and the challenge is that those who do not have higher qualifications are in the majority. They are also at risk of long-term unemployment. Therefore, there is a need for both short and long-term interventions in this regard.
Business should partner with government in sharing the cost of education, as it also benefits from the skilled workforce. We should also appreciate the role that business is already playing through its contribution to the skills development levies, which are allocated to the Sector Education and Training Authorities to develop the skills of the employed and unemployed through learnerships, apprenticeships and funding of occupationally directed qualifications.
South African youth need skills in order to counter unemployment, inequality and poverty. Access to and success in higher education for previously disadvantaged individuals, especially Africans, women, rural people, and people with disabilities, should continue to be facilitated. One factor which is worrying is the lack of access to information in regard to scarce skills programmes and funding opportunities for the majority of learners in schools. Career guidance programmes targeting the youth must be widely spread in order to reach even those who are in remote areas.
There are government projects under way that will create jobs for many of the youth in the country - infrastructure development projects, for instance. In his 2012 state of the nation address, President Jacob Zuma announced that government would embark on massive infrastructure development in 2012 and beyond. The sectors that are targeted are rail, ports, roads and water infrastructure.
These projects will need skilled people in the low, middle and high-level skills categories in construction and engineering. Institutions should increase enrolment in these fields to ensure that there are adequate skills during and after construction of these projects.
Climate change poses challenges and also gives employment opportunities for South Africa. The recent Green Jobs Initiative by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training highlighted the dual challenge of green jobs: to make economic growth and development compatible with climate stabilisation and a sustainable environmental footprint. The organisations claim that the shift towards greening the economy will require the second greatest economic transformation after the industrial revolution.
Green sectors will require new jobs, but they will also need to redefine many existing job profiles. To meet this challenge education and training systems will need to supply a well-trained, highly skilled labour force. Training and guidance services that steer people towards jobs in growing sectors should focus on skills related to energy efficiency and renewable energy implementation.
The greening of the economy presents a major opportunity to start new businesses, develop new markets and lower energy costs. All these can create employment opportunities for the youth.
The study conducted by the Higher Education HIV and Aids Programme in 2010 revealed that there is a high prevalence of HIV/Aids among students in higher education.
Tenders without skills are not sustainable, and therefore our people need skills to be able to sustain all these endeavours. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Hon House Chairperson, it has been seen that jealousy is written on people's faces. [Interjections.] I suppose I was expecting the opposition to acknowledge and congratulate one of our own, a young person, hon Mduduzi Manana, who has been appointed to a new position. But it's fine - when you are jealous, you no longer see the future! [Interjections.]
The essence of the 1976 struggle was about opening the doors of learning for all. We stand here today in commemoration of the gallant bravery they displayed in front of the brutal police and military forces of the then apartheid colonial regime, which denied them the basic human right of the opportunity to learn and acquire skills. Their struggle for better education was inspired by the Freedom Charter's message that states, and I quote:
The aim of education shall be to teach the youth to love their people and their culture, to honour human brotherhood, liberty and peace; Education shall be free, compulsory, universal and equal for all children; Higher education and technical training shall be opened to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit;
Consistent with this message, the ANC, when it came to power in 1994, gave priority to the education of our youth, to the development of their skills, and to job creation, so that poverty could be eliminated. The future prosperity of our country depends on the youth of today, for they are the custodians of the future.
As South Africans, we are all aware that the history of the youth in this country is the history of struggle - of triumph over adversity, of success against all odds, and of victory over oppression. Every generation of our youth has gone through these historical moments, as evidenced by the struggles of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and, currently, 2012. Each of these decades emphasised different issues, reflecting specific challenges that faced the youth of the day.
We all agree that one of the biggest challenges facing the youth of today in this decade is that of unemployment. Notwithstanding the fact that unemployment is the number one challenge facing the nation as a whole, it is the youth who are to a large extent being affected by it. The National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, has estimated in their report of 2009-10 that about 73% of all people who are unemployed in the country are young people. This has to be taken within the context of the estimated total rate of unemployment of between 24% and 35% of the economically active population.
The magnitude of youth unemployment has in turn exacerbated its associated problems of high levels of poverty, increasing rates of underage and youth pregnancies, alcohol and drug abuse, crime, and in recent times, increasing numbers of child-headed households. Youth unemployment has also contributed to an increased number of young people of various vulnerable categories who are catered for by the social security system to pull them out of the poverty trap.
According to a Human Sciences Research Council report, international studies and benchmarks have identified the following reasons why we need to focus on youth development. They make up a significant proportion of the global population and their increasing interconnectedness means that they comprise a significant local, regional and national constituency. Creating livelihood opportunities for young people helps to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Five of the eight Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, speak directly to improving the situation of young people. Failure to invest in young people can lead to their involvement in crime, violence and other social ills.
On a positive note, this study also shows that the current cohort of the South African youth is the best educated ever, they are the healthiest sector of the population, they are technologically confident, they have high hopes and aspirations for the future, and they can influence the national and civic life.
Kuchaza kabanti, i-ANC yente umsebenti lomkhulu ngekudlala indzima lebalulekile ngekwakha inhlangano yalabasha letokwati kusebenta matima kukhulula bantfu labasha nekutsi batfole nemakhono. Kungako kulesikhatsi sanyalo i-ANC yatsi uma ivula inhlangano yalabasha lebitwa ngekutsi, pheceleti, i-ANC Youth League yafundzisa lusha kutsi lucine kute lutekwati kuphatsa lelive ngoba bantfu labasha balikusasa lemmango.
Kubaluleke kakhulu futsi kutsi sati kutsi konkhe loku lesikubona kumitsetfomgomo yahulumende lamuhla kungenca yenhlangano yalabasha be-ANC leyasebenta matima kute ihlangane naletinye tinhlangano lebambisene nato kucinisekisa kutsi tonkhe tidzingo tebantfu labasha tiyafezeka. Nguloko lokwenta inhlangano yalabasha be-ANC kutsi ihlale phasi iphakamise kuvulwa Kwemkhakha Wetekutfutfukisa Wavelonkhe lobitwa ngekutsi, pheceleti, yi- National Youth Development Agency. Loku kutawenta kutsi yonkhe imitsetfomgomo isebente kutfutfukisa bantfu labasha kute kuvuleke nematfuba emsebenti. Siyabonga. (Translation of Siswati paragraphs follows.)
[To elaborate further, the ANC did an excellent job playing a pivotal role in establishing a youth league that would work hard to liberate the youth and enable them to acquire skills. It is for that reason that the ANC, having established the ANC Youth League, is currently teaching the youth to be strong so that they can lead the country, because the youth are the future leaders of the nation.
It is of the utmost importance to know that all that we see in government policies today is because of the ANC Youth League, which worked tirelessly in collaboration with other organisations to ensure that all of the needs of the youth are addressed. It is for that reason that the ANC Youth League sat down and proposed the establishment of a National Youth Development Agency. All policies in place would provide a platform to develop the youth to open up job opportunities. Thank you.]
The adoption of the National Youth Policy 2009-14 as government policy, and the establishment of the National Youth Development Agency represented a big step forward in the development of the youth of our country.
In addition to these efforts, the ANC government has prioritised the promotion of a culture of learning and teaching in education as one of the key pillars of the strategy to address the skills deficit which is contributing to the current massive youth unemployment.
Chairperson, it is very important that people realise that the ANC's 2009 manifesto speaks to all the issues around the youth wage and job opportunities that the President always speaks about. This manifesto is being realised today and shows that the ANC really cares about its own people.
As we commemorate Youth Day through this debate, we as Parliament must ensure that through our oversight work the commitments we have made to the youth of this country are indeed implemented and realised. We must not fail those who sacrificed their lives in their struggle for a better education and the attainment of the freedom that we enjoy today.
It is very important for me to highlight the fact that we must teach political education and educate the people on my left-hand side so that they learn about and respect other peoples' cultures. That is why, in most cases, you find young people disrespecting their elders. It is because the latter don't have respect. Some of them are old but they don't even notice that we don't need toys here; this is a respected House. However, they play as if they are playing with toys! [Interjections.]
It is very important that we should notice that other people just speak, but some of them have factory faults! [Interjections.]
It is also very important that we notice that when we say that young people must be capacitated and given opportunities ...
Are you a factory fault?
... it is the IFP that took one young woman out of Parliament and put her outside - today she is unemployed. This simply means that they don't care about women's empowerment. [Laughter.]
It is also very important that we need to notice that the DA always claims victory without having won it, but they have forgotten that they went to Cosatu House and they got something on their faces. I thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you, House Chair and hon members.
When I saw the photos being flashed here, I remembered an election in another country, where there were images of people which were being used in adverts for an election campaign. We discovered that the people in the pictures didn't know that they were going to be used for adverts. [Laughter.] It is very possible that those who submitted photos were thinking that they were dealing with a labour broker so that they could get jobs! [Laughter.]
The discussion today is about the remembrance of the contribution made by the young people of this country to liberation, and the brutal repression they suffered as they attempted to liberate themselves from the yoke of apartheid.
It is a call to the nation for all of us to put our heads together to look for solutions to the problems which beset our young people today. It is in this context that I hope that, as we commemorate 16 June and engage in the activities of Youth Month, all of us are going to put our political egos aside to work towards finding solutions for challenges which face our young people. The problems facing our young people are not theoretical; the problems facing our young people are not imaginary; the problems are real. These are the problems that every South African should be concerned about.
With the current economic situation in the world, many countries are struggling to create sufficient jobs to feed their nations. It is, therefore, important that all of us - politicians, labour, business and religious leaders - work together to try to find solutions to deal with these problems which are facing the world, and not only us.
It does not help us to stand on rooftops and shout at each other. Those shouts will never create jobs for the young people. We do not depend on photos. Those of us who stay in rural areas, townships and informal settlements, day in and day out, are faced with a stark reality. As people wake up in the morning, they do not know where to find food. When they come back in the evening, they do not have shelter. [Interjections.]
The government should be ashamed.
The government cannot be ashamed, because we understand the problems that are faced by our people. [Interjections.] All of us are striving to put systems together to help the young people get what they want. We believe that the only way to ensure the prosperity of this country and the building of a successful nation is to invest in the education of our children and of young people. Therefore, the government has taken several steps and has increased the participation of young people in the education system.
We are quite aware that the more we train young people, the more we flood the job market, which is not ready to absorb them because there are no jobs in the economy. However, that should not stop us from making sure that we create sufficient skills through the FET colleges, the state-owned entities, SOEs, and the private sector, especially now that we are embarking on a roll-out of infrastructure. We believe that this infrastructure roll-out will be able to create sufficient skills through training programmes. The roll-out will also be able to create jobs, although not sufficient to wipe out the backlog of unemployment.
That every month the youth have to depend on the child support grant is not something they can be proud of. That young people always have to depend on their parents or grandparents for support is not something they can be proud of. It is important for all of us to look for solutions that will create not only entrepreneurs, but also a skilled workforce that will be able to participate in the economy of the country.
As we speak here today during this Youth Month, young sportspeople in our country are preparing themselves to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games. We wish all South Africans to give them support, because we hope that with the support of the nation we will be able to encourage them to excel. [Applause.] We would like to call on all our young people - students, unemployed and the working youth - to participate in sporting activities which are being championed by the Department of Sport and Recreation. This will ensure that we have a healthy nation that is competitive and ready to compete with the rest of the world.
In this information age, we hope that young people are going to take advantage of the availability of opportunities in the ICT sector to participate in the innovation and creativity that is required to take this economy forward.
We would like to call on young people to participate in the Square Kilometre Array, SKA, activities which are going to unfold, since South Africa has been awarded the SKA project. We believe that the SKA award is going to create many opportunities for research and innovation, and the participation of young people in the scientific world.
We believe that our young people need to participate in politics to ensure that they equip themselves with the knowledge of running the country and its political affairs. However, we are aware that in this process there are those who will seek to exploit the problems of our young people for their own political gain. We believe that our young people should not allow themselves to be used by those who want to up the stakes in their political game by riding on their backs. [Interjections.]
We call on our youth not to engage, in the course of the protests that are taking place in the country, in activities that destroy properties that have been built by government or individual citizens. We would like our young people not to be tempted to be used by way of their staying away from school because somebody else has a problem somewhere which has nothing to do with the school. We would like to call on student organisations from all political affiliations to support the call to strengthen our education system to ensure that our young people are not used in the streets of our country by those who want to achieve political gains other than those which are supposed to help young people. [Applause.]
We in South Africa participate in all the programmes of the United Nations, the African Union and international organisations, and in bilateral relations with other countries in programmes which are going to assist our youth to participate equitably in the international affairs of young people. We believe that all of us working together - the government, the private sector, NGOs, and co-operatives - stand a better chance to roll back the wheel of poverty and inequality, and create jobs for our young people. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.