Mr Speaker, today Helen Zille has written to President Jacob Zuma to challenge him to join her in a nationally televised presidential debate on the state of our economy and our country, particularly in relation to jobs. Since President Zuma took office ... [Interjections.]
Order, hon members!
... unemployment has grown from 30% to 34% and, using the narrow definition which excludes discouraged job seekers, from 23% to 24,1%, despite the recent claims he made to the contrary.
My friends and colleagues, today there are 1,4 million more South Africans who are unemployed than the day he became President. That means that one out of every three South Africans, one out of every three South Africans today, is unemployed - without a job.
This would be an opportunity to openly debate these issues together and to directly answer questions from the public on this matter of national importance. A television debate would strengthen our democracy and it would strengthen our public discourse. Live presidential candidate debates are becoming commonplace across Africa. In 2012, Ghana, Kenya and Sierra Leone held their first televised presidential debates. It is vital that South African voters should not be denied the opportunity of interrogating party- political positions through live television debates.
We are therefore looking forward to hearing whether President Zuma will take up this challenge or whether he will simply keep on hiding. I thank you. [Applause.]