PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
15 June 2020
AL JAMA-AH SALUTES THE SPIRIT OF THE YOUTH OF 1976 AND GEARS UP TODAY’S YOUTH TO BECOME THE DRIVING FORCE IN THE SA ECONOMY
As we commemorate and remember the tragic events of June 16 1976 we must do serious introspective that the uprisings should not be seen as an event within the confines of this historic month on our calendar.
Besides the rejection to be taught in Afrikaans there were many other fundamental facts such as the socio-economic conditions which lead to the youth uprisings. South Africa was ruled by a racist and oppressive regime and the increasing rise of Black Consciousness (BC) created a political and ideological consciousness amongst the youth to stand up against an oppressive and racist government.
We salute these gallant youth who recognised and confronted the challenges aimed at keeping them politically and economically oppressed in their own country. We call on today’s youth to learn from the fighting spirit of the youth from 1976 and beyond and to free themselves from the bondages of gangsterism, drugs, alcohol, criminal activities and unemployment.
It is sad that today, 44 years later and 26 years into democracy the youth feel that they are not given enough opportunities to prove themselves. In his 2019 SONA (State of the Nation Address) President Cyril Ramaphosa announced urgent interventions to address the country’s unemployment of its youth. More than half of South Africa’s youth are unemployed and thousand lack the skills for possible jobs.
AL JAMA-AH’s President and leader in Parliament who is a member on the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Hon Ganief Hendricks, said the party is geared to assist the youth with applications to start small businesses. The party’s Parliamentary Constituency offices are equipped to help aspiring entrepreneurs with how to access funding, process of application and act as their mentor through the critical early stages of their small businesses.
South African youth feel they are being marginalised and excluded from the economy and policy making. The Party’s Constituency offices serve to “bring Parliament closer to the people.” We are responding to President Ramaphosa’s commitment to implement constructive measures to help youth access the business loans and grants to start their small businesses.
For further details contact:
MR M HENDRICKS
AL JAMA-AH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Cell: 082 780 2573