Mr Speaker, his Excellency the President of the Republic, by now it is a common fact that your good friend, the late honourable Mr Amichand Rajbansi, has passed on and I, on behalf of our newly appointed leader, Mrs Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the state, his Excellency the President and the hon Premier of KwaZulu-Natal for affording the late honourable Amichand Rajbansi the highest dignity a citizen in South Africa can get, a state funeral as recognition for his contribution to the political landscape of this country. [Applause.]
Political commentators have expressed deep concern around some of the matters highlighted in the state of the nation address and certain aspects that the hon President remained silent on. The issue of poverty was not acutely addressed. This relates particularly to the structural unemployment of the youth. The current unemployment range between the ages of 15 and 34 is a clear indication that the policies and reforms can do more to address the plight of the youth. We have to seriously question what happens to the matriculants that pursue tertiary studies and the majority who don't. What happens to those who fail in school, those who pass and are unemployed, and those who study and remain unemployed?
In the state of the nation address of 2011, R9 billion was set aside for job creation. Of this, only a portion was spent, and the balance is something that we have been silent about. The longer the silence, the greater the rate at which poverty grows. We need a quick-fix solution to these growing problems because these are our citizens.
The problem with our economy as it stands is that it is dominated by the overdependence on mineral exports and foreign exchange earnings. We are weak in the manufacturing and transport industries, in providing job opportunities and careers, as these are highly underdeveloped in South Africa. Another serious concern is that the inequality gaps, the pay gaps, etc, have increased in the past few years. Society is plagued by casualisation of the workforce, and the extent to which labour brokers feed into unemployment has to be regulated.
We are informed that the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle has not worked in South Africa. The MF strongly believes in the essence of land redistribution as one of the cornerstones of economic recovery. The question is how the state proceeds, whilst respecting the constitutional provisions, and it is a matter that requires extensive deliberation and consultation. How we take the confidence of our people into this campaign is of paramount importance. What economic initiatives are proposed to ensure that legitimate and justifiable land expropriation processes result in the development of an agricultural economy that lends itself to manufacturing initiatives? What economic initiatives do we have for small emerging farmers? We must not underestimate the economic potential of this class of people in poverty alleviation.
No matter what, fraud and corruption is on the increase. Prosecution rates are slow, and it is apparent that the major contribution in corruption is in the Department of Human Settlements whilst our poor continue to live in shacks, waiting patiently for homes that they had been promised. The eThekwini Municipality is swimming in fraud, corruption and maladministration. Surely these officials are worse off than Julius Malema for bringing the political organisation into disrepute. Why do we keep them? Mr President, the MF calls for all disciplinary actions with respect to corruption by government officials, and actions against those in municipal offices must be fast-tracked with immediate effect.
We observe the complete marginalisation of minorities in the application of the affirmative action policies of government. They pay their taxes like all others. Why are they being excluded from being employed based on skills and qualifications? The MF wants to remind you, Mr President, that they also fall within the definition of black in the Constitution, and we plead with you not to exclude them.
Mr President, we note the role that you played during the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, Codesa, negotiations, and so did the former leader of the MF, the honourable Amichand Rajbansi, who ensured the inclusion of a clause for the promotion, protection and preservation of all religious faith organisations. Mr President, the ethnic languages have come under tremendous pressure. We want you, Mr President, to intervene as this is actually being treated similarly to how the Indian languages were being sidelined during colonial rule.
We welcome the housing subsidy of R83 000; however, it does not in any way reflect the reality. The average cost of a house today is plus minus R400 000 and this demands a bond repayment of over R4 000 for somebody who earns R5 000 per month. There is very little to live on, even when the subsidy is included. Furthermore, how will you address those who are blacklisted, who are citizens of this country and demand housing? Our responsibility to those without jobs must be that we continue to provide housing to them. It would be unfair not to, based on the fact that they are unemployed.
Another critical area that has been ignored is the area of sport, and the ability of our country to compete in all facets of sport. Mr President, the rate at which poverty is growing in our country far exceeds the rate at which reforms are being implemented. The cost of living has increased. The gap between the rich and poor has increased. The cost of electricity is high. Our policies and programmes are not addressing the issues of an ordinary man on the street, but rather those politicians in key positions who control the economy and, undoubtedly, inequality has increased several fold.
In criticism to the state of the nation address, the MF has made proposals, and if it is implemented, Mr President, you will start to create hope and faith in the system. It is time to march forward all the way so there will practically be a better life for all. Mr President, poverty does not see race or face; it attacks almost anyone who comes in front of it. The MF strongly believes that good governance is not based on the promulgation of new pieces of legislation, but yes, undoubtedly by the evaluation of progress. I thank you. [Applause.]