Cape Town — As political parties gear up for the upcoming elections, many parties have targeted fixing one of the country’s biggest issues – the rising rate of unemployment.
When the unemployment statistics were released in February this year, it showed South Africa’s unemployment rate had risen to 32.1% between October and December 2023, while youth unemployment was 44.3 percent in the fourth quarter, up 0.9 percentage points on the previous three months.
According to The Citizen, the three political powerhouses in South Africa – the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) highlighted their intentions to fight against South Africa’s unemployment.
EFF’s Bold Job Creation Vision
The EFF have put forth an ambitious agenda aimed at generating millions of sustainable jobs between 2024 and 2029. Central to their strategy is the establishment of state-owned enterprises and initiatives geared towards diversifying industries and empowering black-owned businesses.
Through state-led industrialization and targeted interventions in critical sectors such as housing, security, and cleaning services, the party aims to create over 4 million jobs.
ANC’s Focus on Public Works
The ANC has emphasised the importance of public works programs in providing employment opportunities. The party aims to sustain 2.5 million work opportunities through initiatives like the Presidential Employment Stimulus and support for small enterprises.
Additionally, the ANC plans to expedite land reform and redistribution to enhance food security and agricultural production, contributing further to job creation.
DA’s Innovative Approach to Youth Employment
The DA has proposed innovative solutions to tackle youth unemployment, including the introduction of a Youth Employment Opportunity Certificate. This certificate aims to facilitate easier access to employment for young individuals aged 18 to 35 by offering flexible employment terms.
The party also advocates for the removal of racial targets in employment equity laws and plans to hold labor unions accountable for damages incurred during strikes.
According to Business Live, some of the other big political names including Rise Mzansi,
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pexels
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
