'We are not lazy': Rustenburg youth respond to Mantashe's unemployment claims
A young person from Moruleng Township has taken to entrepreneurship in the face of high unemployment in the province.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Young people in Rustenburg have defended themselves against bold and controversial claims recently made by ANC chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, who stated that the youth are too lazy to look for jobs.
Mantashe's assertions come amid service delivery challenges that have resulted in frustration in the North West Province.
Last week, while speaking to the SABC, Mantashe said the country's youth are too lazy to look for jobs and want the government to provide these jobs for them. In Moruleng township, where President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his keynote address in celebration of the ANC's 114th anniversary on Saturday, young people told of the pain of being unemployed while attempting to find new ways of making a living.
Lebogang Kgosi, 25, said that that efforts to find a job and the high crime levels in Northam forced him to relocate to Moruleng. He now makes R650 a day by using a rented bicycle as a mode of transport for community members looking for alternative transport to carry their groceries or to make their clinic appointments.
His rented bicycle, which has been turned into a rickshaw, has become an added mode of transport over and above the taxis used by commuters in the township.
"Before moving to Moruleng, I used to transport people with their groceries to and from the shops in Northam, but (I had to stop) because of crime and continuous muggings," he said.
Kgosi revealed that, despite constant clashes with the taxi industry, things are better in Moruleng than they were in Northam.
"It is not because we do not want jobs, but there are no jobs, and because there are no jobs, we do what we can to make a living, " this young transport business owner added.
Maruping Chauke (25) says he makes at least R100 a day working on a patch of road that is riddled with potholes in Mogwase, outside Rustenburg.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
In a township called Lerume, near Mogwase, another young man, Maruping Chauke, said the lack of jobs has forced him to repair a stretch of tar road affected by potholes.
On a good day, he makes R100, which he said is enough to keep him away from a life of crime and stealing copper cables.
"I stopped stealing copper cables after I was confronted and beaten by the community. Since then, I have been helping the community by servicing this part of the road to avoid a life of crime and drugs, "he said.
For Pilane Modise, nothing under the ANC works. From corruption to education and job opportunities, 'everything is reserved for comrades or those connected to the ANC', he said.
"I was very insulted by what Gwede Mantashe said.
"For someone who is a minister, what he said is very offensive because there are no jobs and mines are closed. What does he have to say about the mines that have been shut down, further complicating the lives of young people, who suffer due to a lack of jobs and business opportunities that rotate among the same people who are connected to the ANC," lamented Modise.
However, another young man, Vuyo Matshenya (21), who works at one of the retail stores at Moruleng mall, blamed the youth for lacking initiative. He said some of his peers spend their time drinking while they should be investing in their future.
"I tend to agree with what Mr Gwede Mantashe said because some of the young people do not want to look for jobs. You see, for me to be employed today, I spent months going from one shop to the next last. Eventually I got a learnership, and now I can provide for myself and my family," he said.
Meanwhile, Terrence Masehle revealed that he has spent more than 10 years without a job. He said that he spends most of his time looking for jobs, which requires him to travel distances in search of opportunities.
"There are no jobs, and if we are lucky enough, we get piece jobs, which are not enough. Sometimes you walk to the point where your shoe breaks. This government has not done enough to ensure that we have jobs and to provide for our families. Look at the issue of the R350 grant. How can a grown-up like me survive and provide for his children on this grant? Our children do not respect us due to how the government treats us," he said.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, his deputy, Paul Mashatile and other ANC leaders greeting ANC supporters gathered at the Moruleng Township during the party's 114th celebrations on Saturday.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
During his keynote address on Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed the party to creating a more favourable environment for young people to thrive through the expansion of economic opportunities.
"However, we must also recognise that our own weaknesses and failures in service delivery in governance and the slow pace of economic growth, as well as high levels of unemployment, have demoralised and alienated many individuals in our country. Even so, we must do better," he said.
Meanwhile, Mantashe has since accused political analysts and those critical of his views of blowing his remarks about jobs out of proportion, stating: "During my interview with the SABC, I gave a balanced view, but political analysts blew it out of proportion and vulgarised it."