Issued by African National Congress - Parliament
19 March 2003
I dedicate this debate to all those who spared neither strength nor courage and paid the supreme sacrifice for the liberation of our country.
This democratically elected parliament of the people remains an indestructible epitaph in honour of our heroes.
The ANC leadership, notably the then President General Dr Moroka and Secretary general Walter Sisulu, wrote to Prime Minister Malan on January 21, 1952, demanding the repeal of unjust laws by February 29.
"We firmly believe that the freedom of the African people, the elimination of exploitation of man by man and the restitution of democracy, liberty and harmony in South Africa are such vital and fundamental matters that the Government and the public must know that we are fully resolved to achieve them in our lifetime. The struggle which our people are about to begin is directed not against any race or national group but against the unjust laws which keep in perpetual subjection and misery vast sections of our population."
Predictably the response of the regime was one of intransigence and racial invectives, which later sparked the defiance campaign of 1952.
Ironically though, the Freedom Charter as adopted in 1955 did not call for the white man to "quit Africa" but declared that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white. Our Constitution is a living testimony to the inclusive and non-racial vision of our forebears.
I now turn to the crucible warriors of our fight for human rights and democracy - the youth. Your monumental contributions to these freedoms are celebrated by all freedom loving people. At this crucial hour of destiny, our country and our people need you. Accordingly the future of South Africa is in your hands and you are the architects of its future.
The ingenious programmes and projects of Umsobomvu Youth Fund, itself the single largest investment that the government has made to address the youth unemployment challenge in South Africa, are giving hope to our youth as demonstrated below:
a) 72 unemployed youth from the Western Cape who have completed matric took part in an Environmental Service, Conservation and outdoor Education project b) 120 unemployed young people are involved in a Youth Service Project in care giving and community cleaning in the Cape Flats. c) 120 young people in Gauteng are involved in a youth service project in Care and Counseling for people infected by HIV/AIDS. d) 169 young people are engaged in horticulture and construction at Crown Mines in Gauteng e) A project for 90 young people to rebuild their lives and the community's after gang violence in Westbury, Gauteng. f) 550 young people in Mohlaletse Village, Limpopo, are involved in a labour intensive infrastructure development project. g) 50 unemployed young people involved in home based care and counseling at the Witbank hospital; for people living with HIV/AIDS h) 80 young people in Mothibistad, North West Province, are part of the three youth service projects in the areas of Construction, Primary Agriculture and primary Health care. i) 100 young people will participate in 5 youth service projects to assist the community to react proactively in helping those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the Free State. j) 330 young people in KZN, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape will be trained as sporting coaches, marketers and administrators. k) 250 young people will benefit over 3 years in a school to Work Project to enable them to access employment in the financial Treasury Sector.
To respond to the President's injunction for us to create an IT capacitated nation, 300 unemployed matriculants in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are undergoing training in IT development skills to provide relevant work experience and meaningful employment.
In addition 230 young unemployed tertiary graduates in 2003, and 730 over the next three years will receive high-level technical and professional skills training.
All this in a partnership between the State Information Technology Agency, the Public Sectoral Education Training Authority and the Department of Public Service and Administration.
Last but not least, the Youth Fund has committed R100 million in partnership with Momentum and FNB to provide capital to youth owned businesses over the next 5 years for 200 entrepreneurs and raise another R100 million for the same project. This will create and/or preserve an average of 25 jobs per SME financed which equals to 5 000 jobs.
I want to propose that the R10 billion set aside for black economic empowerment for the next 5 years in this year's budget, R2 billion of that be ceded to the Youth Fund to pursue similar projects as stated above.
Because of the enormity of these projects I would like to state that Umsobomvu is living true to its role of being the implementor of projects that ensure youth participation in the mainstream of the economy while the National Youth Commission monitors policy and facilitates legislation. For this reason we need both these organisations in order to heal the divisions of the past, deepen human rights and democracy and foster nation building.
Conclusion:
In all these endeavours, our youth must not become passive recipients of rights and freedoms, but cadres of a fight to push back the frontiers of poverty in a united effort with government.