Note to Editors: The below speech was delivered by the DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, Solly Msimanga MPL, during the Worker’s Day Rally at Eldorado Park Extension 2 in Soweto.
Today marks the day when people across the globe celebrate International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day. This day recognises and pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of all workers who contribute to the growth and development of the economy and society. From construction workers to physicians, teachers to farmers, and everyone in between, this day reminds us of the critical role workers play in shaping our world. In Gauteng, however, celebrations of this day coincide with the harsh reality facing Gauteng residents, which is the struggle to find employment. We recognise workers’ efforts while emphasising the need to invest in job creation and improve the lives of those who are unemployed in our province.
Gauteng is known for being a pathway to bright and enduring opportunities. Annually, a multitude of individuals travel to this province in pursuit of employment opportunities to improve their lives and those of their families. This is because Gauteng serves as the economic centre of the country. This province should be brimming with employment opportunities, yet sadly, that is not the case.
Currently, Gauteng has over 2.5 million unemployed residents, while there are currently 611 000 discouraged job seekers. These millions of unemployed residents are dependent on the few in their family who have a job. A family with a few people with jobs is a family that is likely to find itself stuck in a cycle of poverty. We need solutions and not empty promises!
What Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has done with his Nansi Ispani programme, is to provide a temporary solution that he thinks will buy him votes. Many of the jobs created as part of this Nasi Ispani programme are not sustainable and will not help to reduce the high unemployment rate. There has been no long-term planning to ensure that those employed are properly trained and skilled so they remain employable and can advance higher in the economy. 6000 people have been employed as part of the Crime Prevention Warden programme; another 5000 as part of the Green Army; and recently, 1 120 interns have been employed by the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and a further 500 000 more job opportunities are on offer this month. It is unclear who is providing the funds for these job initiatives; the Premier has been changing his stance on whether these jobs are temporary or permanent.
What is clear is that the government is not a creator of jobs. Let me clarify: I support short-term employment opportunities as they help residents acquire skills that they might have only received through additional education. The primary responsibility of the government is and should be, to create a conducive environment for the private sector to invest in this province’s economy.
Unfortunately, this hasn’t been possible due to Gauteng’s lack of proper governance and strategies to foster job creation. Further aggravating matters, the Gauteng provincial government has failed to curb corruption, which soared during the Covid-19 pandemic and cadre deployment. The absence of proper crime prevention measures and security systems is a major hindrance to job creation in South Africa. The World Bank estimates that the country’s economy loses about 10% of its GDP every year due to theft and the high cost of hiring private security.
Here in Eldorado Park, a Spar retail outlet that provided jobs for locals and those in neighbouring areas like Ennerdale had to close because of a cocktail of political meddling, gangsterism, and looting. As a result, 400 workers lost their jobs and sources of income to support their families.
If the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) was genuinely committed to safeguarding businesses in our townships, it could have taken action to rescue this retail store that is among several forced to close owing to the constant attacks by gangsters and political groups like the Patriotic Alliance (PA), who accuse them of selling rotten foods and encourage looting of their goods and property damage.
This is inconvenient for the locals, who now must travel over 5 km to access shops. Many of them cannot afford to do so. Furthermore, because this region is riddled with gangs, drugs, and violence, the stores that have been shut down eventually become used as drug dens. This month alone, four men were shot and killed in Eldorado Park indicating that things have gone out of control while the Gauteng Department of Community Safety is sleeping on the job.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the Nancefield Primary School, which was planned to replace asbestos classrooms with brick and mortar, remains incomplete due to the interference of construction mafias. This missed opportunity is disappointing since it might have provided much-needed job opportunities for teachers and staff, as well as contributed to alleviating overcrowding in the school and ensuring the delivery of quality education in a conducive setting.
Regardless, all hope is not lost. Despite the PA and ANC governments’ attempts to disrupt the local economy, the DA is committed to rescuing Gauteng residents from the jaws of unemployment and dealing decisively with criminals who are making Gauteng unattractive to those looking to invest in our communities and create job opportunities. We will boost economic confidence through better provincial governance and attract investment, resulting in more jobs and opportunities for businesses. Furthermore, we will also clamp down on corruption and streamline business operations by reducing red tape. This has proven to be effective in the Western Cape, where we govern. A DA government will also ensure that the school curriculum offers subjects that will produce the skills for a changing economic environment with an increased dependency on technology.
In dealing with crime in our province, the DA has a strategy that relies on getting the basics of policing right. This includes increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of policing by putting pressure on the National Government to devolve authority over the South African Police Service (SAPS) from the national to the provincial levels, resulting in faster recruitment, placement, and performance management. Furthermore, the DA administration intends to strengthen collaboration among law enforcement organisations such as SAPS, metro police, and specialised crime-fighting teams. We will also work with municipalities to implement programs like the Western Cape LEAP to improve police presence and reduce crime in Gauteng.
The clock is ticking towards putting an end to the pain of observing Workers’ Day amidst rampant unemployment. In just 28 days, we will begin the process of rebuilding Gauteng and South Africa, ensuring that every resident has a fair chance to secure employment and businesses can thrive without fear of intimidation.