President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over the high rate of unemployment in South Africa, admitting that the issue "keeps me awake at night".
Speaking in Sun City yesterday, as the African National Congress (ANC) prepares for its annual January 8 celebration, Ramaphosa alluded to several socio-economic challenges facing the country and outlined how he would like these issues to be addressed by the government.
"The issue of unemployment keeps all of us here on the stage awake. It especially keeps me awake at night in terms of trying to find solutions," Ramaphosa said.
He further explained that he had been in discussions with the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, about mobilising more funds to create jobs for young people. He emphasised the importance of working with the private sector, which he noted controls 75% of the country’s economy. "So we need to harness them, to mobilise them, to make sure that they work with us to create jobs," he stated.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen the public sector, including Eskom and Transnet, stating that progress was being made on an ongoing basis.
The President’s remarks come just days after ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe sparked outrage with comments suggesting that unemployed citizens, particularly the youth, were overly reliant on the government to provide jobs instead of actively seeking employment themselves.
During an interview with the SABC, Mantashe said, "I am now over 70. I’ve never had a government look for a job for me." He continued, "Today, because there’s a progressive government, people expect that government [must] give them jobs. They don’t look for jobs themselves, and that must change."
Mantashe emphasised the need for a cultural shift, stating, "You queue for a job, you look for the advert, and you apply in real terms. We must move away from being a ‘parcel society’ and become an active society."
Mantashe's sentiments have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Former Public Protector and MK Party Mpumalanga convenor Busisiwe Mkhwebane described the statements as irresponsible.
"Mantashe, if you knew how many applications unemployed graduates and those without qualifications submit, you would never utter such an irresponsible statement," Mkhwebane said. "Your family and those close to you are not exposed to the poverty and unemployment our families endure. You are so distant from reality, and it is sad."
The contrasting views between Ramaphosa, who acknowledges the severity of the unemployment crisis, and Mantashe, whose comments have been perceived as insensitive, highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of the issue in South Africa.
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