Youth unemployment crisis: Four out of every five youth without a job

Youth unemployment crisis: Four out of every five youth without a job

The Eastern Cape is in the midst of a dire youth unemployment crisis, with four out of every five youth between the ages of 15 and 24 without work.

The Democratic Alliance is demanding that Premier Oscar Mabuyane spell out, on Youth Day later this week, what it is that his government is doing to offer hope to the young people of this province. He needs to provide viable interventions that will address this crisis through inter-departmental coordination.

The latest statistics show that the expanded unemployment rate for Eastern Cape youth between the ages of 15 and 24 is at 80.7%. For those aged 25 to 34, the stats do not look much better with the expanded unemployment rate at 62.7%.

These shocking statistics were revealed by Premier Mabuyane this month in response to a parliamentary question from the DA.

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Our youth have lived their entire lives under an ANC government and ANC policies that have decimated jobs in the province, depriving this generation of opportunities to improve their lives and those of their families.

At this rate, if nothing is done to intervene, there will soon be no opportunities at all for the youth of this province!

Young people need to challenge for change to overcome the pessimism and despair that these statistics present.

The best way to overcome the jobless pandemic is for the government to create the right environment for the private sector to flourish. This will provide more opportunities for young people to grasp.

It however means getting the basics right. Investors want a functional government that is committed to clean and good governance and that can deliver efficient and effective services.

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