The Office of the Premier appears to be converting the Isiqalo Youth Fund into nothing more than a slush fund for politically connected youth in a province where youth unemployment is in excess of 50%.
Since Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s office took over the fund in April 2021, it has been mismanaged and chaotic, with no accountability for allocations or disbursements.
In response to an oral question from the Democratic Alliance, Premier Mabuyane admitted that they have still not finalised applications for the 2021/2022 financial year, which should have been done before the financial year started. Further, no applications for the 22/23 financial year have been processed. Applications for the current 23/24 financial year have still not opened despite being six months into the year.
The Premier could not say how many of the 1330 applications for the 21/22 financial year had succeeded because they were still being adjudicated. When pressed, Premier Mabuyane could not give specifics regarding the adjudication of the applicants or say why some were successful while others were not.
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The fund, which was established under the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), was geared toward identifying and supporting legitimate businesses owned and operated by youth from the Eastern Cape.
Premier Mabuyane did reveal that several businesses have been awarded operational funds, totalling in excess of R1 million, which had been given to companies for rental, salaries and utilities.
Funding operational costs is not sustainable, and may lead to a dependency on external support, hindering financial sustainability and discouraging organisations from seeking long-term, self-sustaining solutions.
The DA will not allow legitimate funding meant to empower the youth and address the systemic challenges of youth unemployment in this province to be hijacked for political gain. We will be tabling follow-up questions to the Premier and will be visiting beneficiaries of the fund.
There must be fairness in the allocation of resources.
We will continue fighting to rescue this fund from becoming another slush fund for the corrupt ANC and their politically connected cadres.
The DA believes every South African has the right to be themselves, believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. If the Fund remains managed in this fashion, there is no hope that our youth will ever be able to pursue their dreams, irrespective of the circumstances or political connections.
English voice note