VANDERBIJLPARK – More than two hundred young individuals from Bophelong braved the scorching sun on Wednesday, February 28, to personally deliver their resumes to numerous local companies in Vanderbijlpark.
Faced with the grim reality of unemployment, these determined men and women embarked on foot, visiting factories in the hope of securing employment opportunities.
Carrying their CVs in bags or by hand, the group encountered locked gates and security vehicles at many of the companies they visited.
Speaking to Ster South, Boitumelo Seshabela (26) expressed her daily prayer for just a chance to secure an interview.
“There is no breadwinner at home, and we are struggling a lot. That’s why I decided to join others in this job-seeking effort. I have been distributing my CV everywhere without any luck. Right now, all I hope for is a call for an interview to prove myself,” she lamented.
Another hopeful resident, Puleng Sehloho (34), who comes from a family of six, expressed that any job, even odd jobs, would be a blessing to help her support her family.
“At this point, I’m not picky about the position. Just one job will do. We have been surviving on my grandmother’s grant money, and finding a job would be a dream come true,” she remarked.
The Patriotic Alliance, along with several other organisations such as the Forum for Service Delivery, joined the initiative, visiting companies like Afrox, Nersa, North West Bulk, and Phakoe Recycling.
Nkosi Msimanga, the Regional Coordinator of the Patriotic Alliance, urged companies to provide equal opportunities to the youth of Bophelong.
“We believe it is unfair for our people to remain unemployed while we have numerous companies in our midst. Sedibeng has always been an economic centre employing South Africans from various backgrounds. However, we are witnessing an increasing number of illegal foreigners being employed by these companies. Our goal is not to discriminate but to advocate for equal opportunities, even for those in the surrounding communities. We are simply advocating for our people,” he emphasised.
