Cape Town – EFF leader Julius Malema says unemployed graduates should receive a government stipend of R1 000 if they are unable to find a job.
Malema said this during a Youth Day rally in Durban on Friday.
He claimed that many young people have pursued education, leading to universities being unable to accommodate all applicants, IOL reported.
Malema criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for not fulfilling his promise to create jobs for young people.
South Africa currently has approximately 4.9 million unemployed young individuals.
Malema suggested that unemployed graduates should receive a payment similar to the R350 social relief grant, and emphasised the importance of rewarding people based on their qualifications to combat illiteracy, poverty, and inequality in the country.
“Unemployed graduates could receive a payment in a similar fashion to the R350 social relief grant, unemployed young people who have a matric, should be paid a thousand rand.
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“We need to pay people according to their qualifications. That is the only way we are going to defeat illiteracy.
“That is the only way we are going to fight poverty and it is also the only way we are going to fight inequality in South Africa and let the youth be rewarded for going to school,” Malema said.
He called for the Department of Infrastructure to provide a plan for job creation by the end of July, SABC reported.
The red-beret leader also urged young people to register to vote in the upcoming general election, saying that it is an opportunity for the economic liberation of the country.
Malema criticised those who complain but do not take action, emphasising the importance of voting as a solution to societal problems.
“Don’t become complainants. You are the solution. And no one is going to come with solution everywhere. You allow this corruption to happen because on the day of voting you are drinking alcohol. There is no shebeen on the day of registration, on the day of voting,” he said.
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Picture: Twitter/ @EFFSouthAfrica
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
