ANC vows to curb unemployment

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Africa National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has highlighted his party’s commitment to job creation.

Mbalula’s statement comes as Statistics South Africa’s recent data shows a 45.5% unemployment rate among those aged between 15 and 34.

In contrast to the national average of 32.9% in the first quarter of this year.

Mbalula says reviving industrial areas would help to address unemployment.

“We are driving industrialisation programmes which is going to be key, what is the industrialisation programme. We export raw materials, we will create industries within the country, and then export finished products. In that way, we will create more jobs.”

JOBS | Unemployment rose in Q4:

Meanwhile,  unemployed law enforcement graduates are expected to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria today.

Their protest is against the authorities’ decision to make those with a Grade 12 level of education, instead of qualified graduates in law enforcement.

More than 200 graduates, qualified in DNA testing, pathology, traffic, and public policing, are expected to be part of the march.

They are expected to deliver a memorandum of demands to the Presidency and the City of Tshwane Metro Council.

Mashudu Phalandwa, one of the organisers of the protest, says we want government to give us first preference as graduates when they are hiring officers in law enforcement. This thing of prioritising Grade 12’s when there are graduates with degrees and diplomas sitting at home is not fair. So we are saying enough is enough, we want to be hired or if our qualification is not recognized they must phase it out from the universities.”