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12 June 2008

Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has urged the youth of Meadowlands, Soweto to fight against xenophobia and made an impassioned plea to them to report corrupt elements that perpetuate this violence in communities.

"Our children rob and rape foreign nationals and even our own Tsonga brothers who come from the Northern Province. Where is this going to end? When we are continuously killing each other and not addressing the challenges we face head on".

Shilowa was addressing residents at a youth Imbizo held in Meadowlands where he was joined by Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa, Gauteng Youth Commission chairperson Lebogang Maile and local government representatives on Wednesday 11 June 2008.

The Premier said although he was there to listen to young people's concerns it was important to note that most of those perpetuating the violence against foreign nationals were young people.

He said the perception that the government is paying more attention to foreigners was untrue. "Never before have there been so many opportunities for young people," he said.

He said there were a number of initiatives underway to assist unemployed youth - such as the Gauteng Youth Commission, National Youth Service, further education and training (FET) colleges and learnerships - "instead of lazing around in the streets".

At the Imbizo young people were given an opportunity to raise their concerns. One participant raised issues around drug and alcohol abuse. She said even though young people abuse these substances, government doesn't give them an opportunity to be rehabilitated for free even if they are willing to change their ways.

"I want to thank the provincial government for the work they have done so far, but we cannot continue living in houses without proper transportation, road network," said Lebohang, a community youth leader.

Young people also raised issues around access to learnerships and job opportunities upon matriculation. They also raised concerns of access to nursing colleges as their applications are continuously rejected when they apply.

Premier Shilowa said the issue of drug abuse is a pressing problem which needed to be addressed urgently. He added that the transport problems in Meadowlands Zone 11 shall be raised with the relevant MEC In response to the young people's concerns, about job creation, MEC Hlongwa said that young people shy away from job opportunities created through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) then turnaround and accuse government of not creating employment opportunities.

He said if young people don't want to be ordinary labourers then they must make the ultimate sacrifice and study.

"We shouldn't make excuses and blame foreigners when they take our jobs as they are highly skilled," said Hlongwa

Government has structures in place to help them with bursaries if they decide to acquire scarce skills. Maile said they are currently running youth forums across the province where young people will get access to economic opportunities, recreational facilities, sport and skills development. He said this process will ensure that the area has a youth database so that when opportunities of employment arise they will know who to call upon in the area.

In closing government promised the young people of Meadowlands that their complaints have been noted and will be tackled timeously.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
12 June 2008
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za/)