The Ga-Rankuwa community peacefully marched to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital on May 5 to demand fair employment opportunities for unemployed youth.
The march saw community members coming out in their numbers to hand over a memorandum demanding an end to nepotism, formal engagement with the newly elected committee members, and that locals be considered for general labour work.
Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and South African Police Service (SAPS) members were deployed to monitor the march.
Community leader Bafana Maboe-Mahlangu, who started the march, outlined key points of the memorandum, which included employment opportunities for youth such as gardening, laundry, cleaning, porter services, driving, maintenance, and security.
He said the demonstration was inspired by the high youth unemployment in Ga-Rankuwa.
“As a community leader, I had to stand up, with the support of fellow community members, to address this issue through a peaceful march to the
institution,” said Mahlangu.
He said that job opportunities are available, but they need to stand together to get hired.
Mahlangu emphasised that the community was frustrated over unemployment.
“This institution is full of nepotism as the management hires their family members who come from as far as Limpopo to take the jobs meant for us,” Mahlangu said.
He said the youth of Ga-Rankuwa must be employed in all job opportunities within the institution.
Lesego Motsoko, a community member, shared a personal experience of being arrested in the past for demanding job opportunities.
“I was one of those who were once arrested for fighting for job opportunities here in Ga-Rankuwa,” he said.
He said his only income was the R800 rent from his back room tenant.
“The money is too little, and pensioners’ grants are being used to support entire families. I believe that if we are hired, we can earn better salaries to support our families, a salary of R15,000 can make a huge difference,” Motsoko said.
He highlighted how the system is unfair to them and called for action to improve its effectiveness.
“I think even the portal will be of no use, because these jobs will still be given to their family members. Also, how are we supposed to buy data to access the portal when we are not working?
“All we are asking for is a database of Ga-Rankuwa residents that you will hire from,” he said.
The marchers left behind a box of residents’ CVs.
The memorandum was received and signed for by Julias Maputla, stakeholder relations officer of the Gauteng Department of Health, who asked marchers to have patience, as he has yet to sit with the health council to discuss a way forward.
“All we are asking, as the department, is 7 to 14 days to collect and compile the necessary information.
“I believe you have outlined the areas in which you would like to participate, so we are simply asking for your patience for the hospital to
reach a well-informed resolution. I think that will help us respond more effectively as the department,” said Maputla.
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