Thank you very much, Speaker, for protecting me. I was just developing the point that, for as long as the physical infrastructure - whether one is in a plane or on the ground - says we have two nations in one country, that is the affluent nation and the poor nation, so shall our fault lines ever be yawning. And that why it is important to ensure that, first and foremost, all South Africans have tarred streets, waterborne sewer systems, potable water, and electricity. After that, we would be able to unleash and harness the energies of our people to address the problem of youth unemployment, and so on.
The interventions that the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans is initiating to address unemployed youth would make merely a dent in the total of 2,8 million youth up to the age of 24 that are without jobs, not in training or at any college, and so on.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Finance announced that, as government, we would be prepared to consider subsidising the earnings of young people who have skills and qualifications but lack experience. This will enable young people to gain that requisite experience and be in a position to be employable. They also get caught between a rock and a hard place because companies stipulate experience as a requirement, which they do not have and cannot have unless they are given the opportunity and privilege to serve, even at subsidised earnings.
This was met with protestations from organised labour, but that does not mean that is the last word on this matter. As government, we are still committed to ensuring that we address this matter and implement what the Minister of Finance announced. We are quite committed because, if we did not do that, this youth would forever remain on the margins. It is important for us to get them. The economy needs them and their skills. It is important that we take that ... [Time expired.]
Steps to prolong unity of nation and focus particularly on needs of the poor, following successful hosting of 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament
7. Dr G W Koornhof (ANC) asked the Deputy President:
Following the successful hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament, what steps will the Government take to prolong the unity of the nation, with particular focus on the needs of poor people?