Sir,
The IFP Youth Brigade Chairperson, Sboniso Mbatha, calls on the HODs in the Department of Public Works to explain how the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) benefits homeless people, because in Sithembile, Glencoe (including other wards) we don’t see it as functional.
Sboniso Mbatha said, “People living on the streets in our major areas must gain access to job opportunities through the EPWP.
“This will help reduce the number of street beggars. The EPWP is the most effective mode to assist homeless people, and not using it to address the issue of the homeless underscores the absence of a cohesive and humane national policy for beggars in this country.”
I was shocked when I looked at the Statistics of Youth Unemployment in Endumeni, following the past 61 posts of general workers that were selected out of more than 500 applicants.
The ANC as a ruling party seems to be a failure when it comes to job creation and implementation, as strong politics will have to be evident in addressing issues of unemployment and of homeless people.
Intersectoral collaboration, namely working alongside NGOs and business people in cohesive and collective action, will ensure that we reduce the number of unemployed youths and homeless people.
Shandu further stated that, “We advise and encourage our municipality to establish rehabilitation centres for able-bodied street beggars, and for the older ones who can no longer work as vigorously. They also need a place to learn other skills so that they can support themselves.”
‘Patho Pele – People First’: I want to request that all politicians, especially members of the ANC, not lie to the people and say the IFP cannot bring service delivery to the people because they are not ruling and they don’t have MECs and ministers. What is happening in the Msinga Municipality, where the IFP is ruling? They recently received a clean audit.
The truth will remain as it is, that only the IFP will deliver good services to the people, following electricity projects and toilet projects initiated by former Mayor Bongiwe Mbatha of the IFP, that have been implemented in the Wasbank area and which is now about to be implemented on Stratford Farm.
One could ask the question: what has been done by the ANC since 2011? Today we are told of some people who intend to drive people off Stratford Farm for not supporting the ANC, and that people have been told to pronounce Jesus is the King ‘figuratively’ so that they will get toilets and electricity. That is not going to happen, and we’ve taken note of that.
To the youth of Endumeni: let us come together and fight against corruption, crime, poverty, unemployment and discrimination, and strive to effect change for extraordinary outcomes within our municipality. “The number of young people on the streets will be reduced. Job security and financial stability will go a long way in helping our people living on the streets,” Shandu has said.
Issued by: IFP YB Chairperson, Sboniso Mbatha
