Hon House Chairperson, for two and half years the ANC has made the mistake of ignoring the hopes and dreams of young unemployed South Africans. On 11 February 2010, the President stood on this spot and announced the youth wage subsidy that would create an estimated 178 000 new jobs. His plan has not been implemented because he lacks the authority to stand up to Cosatu's flimsy opposition as they refuse to consider the youth wage subsidy at National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac.
But today, this government has gone further. It broke a promise made to those young people two and a half years ago. Minister Patel said that we behave as if this government has policies designed to keep young people out of work. Well, Minister Patel, it is because you do. If you continue to tighten up labour laws and extend bargaining council agreements to nonparties; if you continue to block the youth wage subsidy, then broad youth unemployment will continue to remain above 60%.
Minister Patel wants to talk about statistics that South Africans care most about, which is the unemployment rate. The labour force survey shows that the Western Cape's unemployment rate is lower than the national unemployment rate. The national unemployment rate is 24,9% and the Western Cape's is 23,2%. The DA government is managing this despite the fact that 45 000 people come to our province every year for education, health and work opportunities. The truly striking statistic is that in the two and a half years since the President announced this plan, South Africa has lost 124 000 jobs for people under the age of 24. Over this time, the Department of Economic Development has done nothing, but drafted the so-called New Growth Path, which has not been implemented, signed a couple of accords and talk, talk, talk.
In fact, the only credible new document on tackling unemployment, which is supported by every party in this House and the second biggest trade union federations, has come from National Treasury. What's an indignity for National Treasury is that Minister Patel has set out today to put the nail in the coffin of the youth wage subsidy. It seems to me that the President has accepted the loss of those 124 000 jobs for young South Africans in exchange for Cosatu's support at Mangaung. He must know that this means that 124 000 young people are likely to go out onto the streets in protest at some stage. But perhaps he is thinking that young people would not be prepared to march against the so-called liberation movement or its allies. I am afraid he is sorely mistaken.
Three months ago, almost to the day, 3 000 young DA members marched peacefully to Cosatu House in Johannesburg to protest against the union federations opposing the youth wage subsidy. [Applause.] They were met by a hail of rocks thrown by Cosatu members determined to protect their privileged position as political insiders, but our marchers were not deterred; they made their point and they will march again. This time they will be joined by thousands more unemployed young people who will show their frustration with the ANC's failure to create jobs. They will march again in a sea of blue T-shirts. They will surround Cosatu House, Luthuli House and the Union Buildings. They will eventually sweep the ANC out of power in a tide of voters who are sick of the ANC's broken promises. I thank you. [Applause.]