The ANC’s commission on social transformation has accepted the proposed job seekers grant. The ANC is holding its fourth national policy conference in Midrand, Johannesburg. The commission chaired by ANC NEC member Lindiwe Sisulu has fully supported the initiative to counter the increase in unemployed youth. Yesterday ANC head of policy, Jeff Radebe said the job seekers grant would not be a replacement for the DA’s proposed youth wage subsidy. Social transformation commission Rapporteur Paul Mashatile says the grant is in essence a method to ensure that young people are active in the economy post high school. This motion, which is still to be firmly adopted within the ruling party, will ensure that resources are made available for the preparation of young job seekers. Mashatile added that a lot of similarities could easily be drawn to the DA’s youth wage subsidy, but the job seekers grant will not be providing companies with financial incentives. Mashatile however emphasized that as the policy stands it will not be providing money for unemployed youth.
– By Luvuyo Mdeni
