Hon Speaker, the DA welcomes any and all efforts to alleviate the suffering of our poorest and most vulnerable citizens. However, we also know that the only way to eradicate poverty in our country is to create more and more job opportunities for more and more citizens. Yet, the Presidency's 2012 Development Indicators Report, which was released yesterday by the hon Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane, revealed that the number of discouraged job seekers in South Africa has increased by 1,139 million in the period since President Jacob Zuma assumed office in 2009. In addition, more than 68% of these discouraged job seekers are under the age of 35. It is clear that the War on Poverty campaign has not done enough to enable our poorer citizens and the youth, in particular, to enter the work force and uplift themselves from poverty.
Given these statistics, can the Deputy President tell this House what steps have been taken in the War on Poverty campaign to empower communities to find work and to enter the formal economy, and why these steps have not been effective? Thank you.