The ANC provincial secretary, Paseka Nompondo, on Monday told OFM News that the new MEC of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea) must look at the development of young people. He describes the challenge of youth unemployment in the province as a serious threat to society across the province. He adds that the party, during the provincial executive committee meeting recently, has taken a resolution to do everything in their power to make sure that unemployment is effectively and efficiently dealt with. Nompondo says although the party is delighted with Mohale’s appointment as the new MEC, he must make sure that he works with the youth in the province to secure a prosperous future for all.

Earlier, stats SA revealed that during the first quarter the official unemployment rate increased by half a percentage point in Q1: 2019 compared to Q4: 2018. It says the official unemployment rate increased in six of the nine provinces, with the largest increase in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State (up by 2 percentage points), and Eastern Cape.

Stats SA further says the official unemployment rate increased in six of the nine provinces; the largest increase was observed in KwaZulu-Natal (2,8 percentage points), followed by the Free State (2,1 percentage points), Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape (up by 1,8 percentage points each). During the FS premier Sisi Ntombela’s announcement of her new cabinet, she made it clear to Mohale, before his swearing-in, that the province has a worrying number of at least 400 000 young people being unemployed. She said he needs to make sure he seriously looks into the issues of his peers. She ordered the newly appointed MEC to hit the ground running.

OFM News