KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize today addressed young people attended the Youth Parliament sitting in KwaHlabisa local Municipality where he threw down the gauntlet for young people to take charge of their destiny.
“The challenges faced by the youth of yesteryear were very complex in that they had to fight for the liberation of the whole country. We are saying today your challenge is very simple, just keep yourselves safe and healthy because failure to do so will mean the destruction of our country,” said Dr Mkhize.
He said the rate of new “HIV infection can only be curbed by you taking responsibility for yourselves”.
Dr Mkhize also told the young people about government's programs aimed at improving the province's youth, including internships, learner ship, apprenticeships and economic development programs.
“To support students from poor families the provincial government has awarded 2 743 students bursaries worth more than R112,2 million this year – 2012. Last year the accumulative total of students supported by the provincial government bursary programme was 4877 at the cost estimated above half a billion.
“There has been a strong focus on scarce skills such as engineering, science and technology, accounting, information technology, agriculture, health and social services. The total number of students training in our Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in our province has increased to 61 589.
This is a sector that needs to be strengthened to provide the bulk of the basic skills the country needs in order to grow, and offers huge opportunities for youth to find employment,” said Dr Mkhize.
He said another programme of skills development targeting unemployed youth funded by the National Skills Fund as well as Merseta will enrol more than 1100 youth this year focusing on learner ship and training in apprenticeship on automotive, engineering and other sectors. Working together NARYSEC a larger number of rural youth will be targeted.
This financial year there are more than 1051 interns working for various provincial government departments costing government more than R52,4 million.
Dr Mkhize also challenged young people to utilise War Rooms which have been set up in various parts of the province to encourage development.
“If there is no War Room in your area, you need to come to government and say this is what you have done and you need a War Room,” said Dr Mkhize.
He also reiterated the KwaZulu-Natal Government's position in support of the Youth Wage Subsidy, and that this province is readying itself to implement the program once it has been signed off at national level.
Dr Mkhize explained that there are a number of discussions underway on the subsidy, including valid concerns raised by labour unions that some employers may fire their current employees and abuse the youth wage subsidy scheme.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson for the Premier
Cell: 082 3754742
Regi Khumalo
Media Liaison Desk for the Premier
Cell: 079 751 6108
