Voorsitter, die jeug van Suid-Afrika, insluitende die kontinent Afrika, is deel van 'n geskiedkundige demografiese dividend wat f 'n geweldige ekonomiese hupstoot vir Afrika kan gee f 'n geweldige faktor kan wees in die destabilisering van state, insluitende Suid-Afrika. Europa en die VSA, asook nou tot 'n mate China, kon die demografiese dividend doeltreffend aanwend tot enorme ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling, met gepaardgaande groei in die ekonomiese welvaart van die gewone persoon in die straat. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Adv A D ALBERTS: Chairperson, the youth of South Africa, including the African continent, is part of a historical demographic dividend that can either give Africa an economic kick-start or be an enormous factor in destabilising states, including South Africa. Europe and the USA, as well as China now to a degree, can employ the demographic dividend effectively for enormous economic growth and development, with accompanying growth in the economic prosperity of the average man in the street.]
South Africa is struggling to use this demographic dividend effectively. Instead of super economic growth, we are dealing with dire statistics: 50% of employable persons under 25 are unemployed; the under-25s constitute 30% of the total unemployed; 60% of those who left school did so without a matric certificate; the average time spent looking for a job equals 806 days, and young people are competing in a pool of 6,5 million job seekers.
This struggle means that South Africa can in the foreseeable future face significant unrest, stemming from a frustrated youth. The answers are obvious: We need economic growth that creates jobs fast and sustainably. However, the problems outlined by the statistics have an underlying reality of cause and effect that can be found in government policies that do not work.
Die regering se beleid skiet ver te kort in die volgende areas. Eerstens, basiese onderwys is so swak dat diegene wat uit daardie stelsel kom, veral arm, swart jongmense, beskou word as onaanstelbaar, behalwe vir ongeskoolde arbeid. Dit is 'n nasionale skande en mens kan net wonder of die regering opsetlik die massas ongeskool wil hou, ten einde hulle maklik te beheer. 'Liberation before education' [vryheid voor opvoeding] is steeds die mantra. Die eerste stap in die regstel hiervan is die instel van moedertaalonderrig, meer klem op Wiskunde en Wetenskap en die daarstel van hor slaagstandaarde. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The government's policy is sadly lacking in the following areas. Firstly, basic education is so poor that those who emerge from that system, often poor black youth, are regarded as unemployable, except for unskilled labour. This is a national disgrace and one can only wonder whether the government is deliberately keeping the masses unschooled all the better to keep them under control. 'Liberation before education' remains the mantra. The first step in correcting this is the introduction of mother tongue education, more emphasis on mathematics and science and establishing higher pass standards.]
Secondly, end affirmative action for those who have matriculated after 1994, so as to create an inclusive and diverse economy. This will grow the economy and allow for more job creation, instead of driving youngsters into unemployment. Also, end job reservation when nonblack candidates are available.
The consequences of this policy have dire effects. For instance, the country faces a severe shortage in veterinarians as the unfilled quotas for black students are not filled with other students, leading to a growing shortage that will undermine the country's future. There are many other examples, especially in government, where a complete overrepresentation of blacks exists.
Die aanspreek van die probleme sal beide sosiale kohesie en ekonomiese ontwikkeling moontlik maak en Suid-Afrika op die pad plaas van ongekende groei, deur middel van sy demografiese dividend. Die alternatief is dat die dividend eerder 'n las word wat die land uitmekaar kan skeur.
Minderhede bied hul steun aan om die land te maak werk, maar sou die hand weggeklap word en orde verval, sal nasionale minderhede geen keuse h as om hul toevlug te neem tot die skepping van 'n alternatiewe, sosio-ekonomiese realiteit nie. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Addressing these problems will encourage social cohesion and economic development and will place South Africa on the road to untold growth, by way of its demographic dividend. The alternative is that the dividend will rather become a burden that may tear the country apart.
Minorities are offering their support to make the country work, but if that hand were to be fended off, and if the order were to collapse, then the national minorities will have no choice but to seek refuge in the creation of an alternative socio-economic reality. Thank you.]