Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Des Erasmus
Published on 2024-02-24 14:05:28
The African National Congress (ANC) has presented its 2024 election manifesto with a focus on job creation as a key priority. The manifesto outlines six key priorities aimed at attracting voters for the upcoming general election on May 29. President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the manifesto at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, emphasizing the party’s commitment to expanding public employment to create 2.5 million job opportunities.
The ANC’s manifesto comes at a crucial time when South Africa is facing a challenging economic environment with a high unemployment rate. The party pledged to implement a basic income support grant to support poor South Africans and extend social relief of distress grants for the unemployed. The job creation plan is a response to the increase in the official unemployment rate, which rose to 32.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated South Africa’s employment crisis, leading to a significant loss of jobs in the second quarter of 2020. Despite some recovery in employment numbers, the ANC acknowledges the need for increased efforts to address the ongoing challenges in the job market. The party plans to utilize the Presidential Employment Stimulus and collaborate with civil society organizations to generate work opportunities.
In addition to expanding the National Youth Service and providing employment opportunities for unemployed graduates, the ANC aims to support small enterprises, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives in townships and villages. The party intends to work with the private sector to protect existing jobs and promote employment equity to ensure inclusivity in the workforce.
While critics may question the feasibility of the ANC’s job creation plan, the party is actively campaigning to regain support in key provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The emergence of new political parties, such as Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe party, poses a challenge to the ANC’s traditional voter base. The manifesto also highlights the need for a transformed financial sector, improved healthcare services, and investment in education and technology to prepare young people for the future economy.
President Ramaphosa reiterated the ANC’s commitment to economic transformation and social development, emphasizing the party’s efforts to reduce poverty, inequality, and unemployment. The manifesto outlines various initiatives to support vulnerable groups, enhance basic services, and promote sustainable development in South Africa. As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, the ANC’s manifesto serves as a roadmap for addressing key social and economic challenges and building a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
