Note to editors: The following speeches were delivered in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today by the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Social Development Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of COGTA&HS, Fred Nel MPL, and DA Spokesperson on Community Safety, Michele Clarke MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, during a debate on Workers’ Day.
Speech by: Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL
“High unemployment rate casts shadow on Worker’s day”
- We cannot celebrate a country spiraling on a downward trend where over 700 jobs are lost per day.
- The economy is not growing fast enough, corruption under ANC watch has been rampant, and higher education opportunities are few if you are poor.
- It is equally shocking to note that the exposure of young South Africans to hunger is increasing. That is why I say, we cannot celebrate the freedom of workers while forgetting that so many are not working.
- More importantly, the establishment of workers day is about a culture of human and worker rights and to ensure that these are enshrined in the national law. The real fight for today remains ensuring all South Africans economically active.
The full speech can be obtained here.
Speech by: Fred Nel MPL
“South Africa’s economic growth too low to create employment”
- Unions started out to improve the working conditions of workers especially those who worked in dirty and unsafe factories.
- One could argue that unions have morphed into organisations reaching beyond their core function in society.
- It is difficult to celebrate this day when a quarter of our population do not have employment opportunities available to them.
- South Africa’s economic growth rate is too low to create jobs, in fact jobs are being cut as a result of this low growth, however, the situation can be turned around through the DA’s Vision 2029.
The full speech can be obtained here.
Speech by: Michele Clarke MPL
“Workers’ day should focus on transformation and job creation”
- Histories that should never be taken for granted as they lead the way in establishing the rights and opportunities we enjoy today
- For too many South Africans the political freedom achieved in 1994 has not been matched with economic freedom under the current government. The fact that, one out of every four South Africans, does not have a job is in an indictment on the notion of economic freedom.
- Workers day should be focused on transformation and escaping poverty.
- Commitment to economic transformation is a priority for the DA in government. Where the DA governs, 80% of tenders over R100 000 going to black owned firms.
The full speech can be obtained here.
Speech by: Khume Ramulifho MPL
“A fair society creates work opportunities for everyone”
- It is unfortunate that certain labour unions abuse workers’ rights by engaging in illegal strikes, vandalize public facilities or use violent methods to express their frustrations whenever their expectations or demands are not met.
- There are many who have given up, others are considering giving up because they have been looking for job opportunities with no success
- In order to create a fair society, people must get opportunity to work.
- It is time to encourage innovation and creative thinking. The idea should be to broaden the pool of employed people.
- Just imagine South Africa under the DA led government where we become a beacon of hope with a strong growing economy which creates countless job opportunities.
The full speech can be obtained here.
Media enquiries:
DA Shadow MEC for Social Development
060 558 8297
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC on Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements
083 263 2427
DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety
060 558 8299
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC on Education
082 398 7375