President Cyril Ramaphosa has given the biggest endorsement of his flagship employment project as highly successful. Ramaphosa said in his weekly letter to the nation that the Presidential Employment Stimulus which was launched in 2020 was now showing results. He said some 200, 000 youth were today expected to start work as part of the fifth phase of the mass recruitment programme in the area of education.
They are deployed to schools as teacher and administrative assistance among others, an opportunity that will them not just secure income but much needed work experience as well.
“Today marks the ‘first day at school’ for about 200,000 young people at over 20,000 schools nationwide. This time, however, they are not arriving at school as learners, but as working adults. They are participants in the fifth phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative, the largest youth employment programme in South Africa’s history. After a year’s pause, the initiative returns to townships, villages, inner cities, farms and special needs schools, bringing hope, energy and incomes to places where opportunities are too often out of reach. Over 200,000 young people start work in schools today,” said Ramaphosa in his weekly correspondence published on Mondays.
Ramaphosa said the nature of assignment for the youngsters were depended on the individual needs of the schools they are sent to.
“This programme is designed to develop the work skills that employers say they need, such as time management, task management, teamwork, problem solving, IT, admin and much more. In the process, participants undertake roles aligned to school priorities to ensure these young people add real value, enhancing the learning environment for learners and strengthening learning outcomes,” said Ramaphosa.
The announcement comes at a time when unemployment is at the highest amid generally reduced commercial activity which has in turn led to consistent economic decline. Ramaphosa urged the selected candidates to use the opportunity to prepare themselves for future employment and commercial aspirations.
“Every participant has their own hopes and dreams for their future beyond this programme. Whether they pursue a career in education, undertake further studies, search for a job or embrace self-employment, they won’t be starting from scratch. From this programme, they will carry invaluable skills and experience. Yet, in a tough labour market, they will each need to tackle their next chapter with creativity and initiative,” said the President.
Ramaphosa leads the so-called Government of National Unity which includes rightwing parties DA, Freedom Front Plus and Patriotic Alliance all of whom have been pressuring the ANC into accepting the private sector as the single vehicle, through which employment could be created with the state only playing a limited role, primarily to create a “conducive environment” for investment.
The president said the drafting of the 200,000 young people is an indication that the government has what it takes to end the unprecedented levels of youth unemployment.
“Through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, we have demonstrated the government’s capacity to address the youth unemployment problem. Through this programme we have been able to give young people work experience and a pathway to formal employment or even further education,” Ramaphosa said.