Rustenburg youth respond to Mantashe's unemployment claims

WE ARE NOT LAZY'

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

YOUNG people in Rustenburg have defended themselves against controversial claims recently made by ANC chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, who stated that the youth are too lazy to look for jobs.

Mantashe's assertions come amid service delivery challenges that have resulted in frustration in the North West Province.

Last week, while speaking to the SABC, Mantashe said the country’s youth are too lazy to look for jobs and want the government to provide these jobs for them. In Moruleng township, where President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his keynote address in celebration of the ANC’s 114th anniversary on Saturday, young people told of the pain of being unemployed while attempting to find new ways of making a living.

Lebogang Kgosi, 25, said that efforts to find a job and the high crime rate in Northam forced him to relocate to Moruleng. He now makes R650 a day by using a rented bicycle as a mode of transport for community members looking for alternative transport to carry their groceries or to make their clinic appointments.

His rented bicycle, which has been turned into a rickshaw, has become an additional mode of transport for commuters in the township.