House Chairperson, hon members, at the outset let me indicate that the IFP supports Budget Vote No 28. And therefore everything I will say from this podium will be constructive. I hope there will be no noise.
The Department of Economic Development is charged with the all important mandate of spearheading job creation. Therefore the working of this department is and remains the measuring yardstick of the progress we are making, or lack thereof.
At the epicentre of this focus is the National Development Plan, NDP, which should be a magnet in attracting and aligning all government plans. In this regard we trust, Mr Minister, that the New Growth Path will immediately align itself with the goals, visions and focus of the NDP.
Today I speak on behalf of millions of young people, my fellow brothers and sisters who struggle daily with poverty and unemployment a shared hopelessness. The desperation of our unemployed young South Africans is mounting and their patience is fast dwindling. In 2013, 19 years into our freedom and democracy, a crisis is rapidly approaching as unemployment levels continue to rise. We are sitting on a time bomb that should have exploded already. As much as 25,2% unemployment is beyond critical the efforts seeking to control the same are clearly not working.
It is in this vein that we must ensure that the plans and programmes we are debating today ultimately translate into jobs or at the very least job opportunities.
In preparation for this debate I took to Facebook to solicit views of young South Africans on how best jobs could be created. And the responses were at best constructive and hope-inducing. Although I cannot read all of them here for want of time, on the question of jobs I will read what Nkululeko Wangempela Mdletshe said, for it summarises best what young people feel should be done. He says: "It is important that government focuses more on quality and sustainable jobs..."
The IFP therefore fully supports the development of SMMEs and co- operatives. And we welcome the programmes that are being rolled out by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency, Sefa, and the Industrial Independent Corporation, IDC, to ensure that South Africans are enabled to create and build their own sustainable livelihoods through the business and entrepreneurial support they are receiving. This moves South Africa away from dependency and firmly onto the course of sustainability, self-help and self-reliance.
We impress on the department the importance of ensuring that Sefa reaches all South Africans, especially those in rural areas who were hardest hit by apartheid. Moreover, the duplication and overlap of roles and functions, with regard to co-operatives, between the Departments of Economic Development and Trade and Industry is of serious concern and a catalyst for confusion. This must be resolved.
The IFP has, as its contribution to the development of co-operatives, employed an expert on co-operatives from Kenya and is already training rural women on co-operatives in KwaZulu-Natal and other areas. The failure to implement the youth wage subsidy does not in any way inspire hope and confidence in government's commitment to see through its own initiatives. And therefore, the National Youth Accord should not face the same fate of union resistance and a government that continually buckles under pressure.
The issue of jobs remains the most important and the most pressing matter that requires bold leadership from the Department of Economic Development. The IFP maintains that government should strive towards the creation of a conducive environment for businesses to operate and create jobs.
We are of the view that political freedom needs to be translated into opportunities and access to economic and social sustainable livelihoods for all. We cannot standby and watch those in power loot the country, whilst they sing the NDP 2030 economic emancipation lullaby to the poor. The year 2030 is today, and should not be seen to be 17 years from now.
The multiple accords signed by government departments nationally and internationally, particularly those related to job creation must be brought to life.
The Economic Development Department, EDD, must also ensure, Mr Minister, - we are expecting, from now on - that this department has its finger in every single pie, because the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation is obviously failing to hold your colleagues and their departments to account. It is in the collective interest of economic development that all departments contribute positively and progressively towards the creation of a healthy and vibrant economy that is conducive to growth, development and job creation.
Therefore, Mr Minister, you must throw the book at all your colleagues who are not working towards the creation of such an economic environment, tell them - and you have got our support on this - it's either they shape up or ship out! I thank you. [Applause.]