This is according to Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane‚ who led a march for jobs through Johannesburg on Wednesday‚ attended by thousands of supporters.
“It has been said that ‘a hungry man cannot be free’. This is the South Africa of today. We are here today because we believe that the hope for our nation‚ that the only way out of poverty‚ is always through a job.
“Creating jobs must be our next national cause – because our entire country’s future is at risk. We cannot build a prosperous future for South Africa when 8.4 million South Africans are excluded and have no hope‚ no sense of belonging.”
He said the solution rested on Education‚ Equity and Employment.
“Every single child in this country must have access to the standard of education that will put him or her on the path to success. That’s the first‚ and most important of the three E’s. Why must good education only be for the rich? We must fight to give every child‚ in every home‚ rich or poor‚ a world-class education.
“Then people need Equity. Ownership. They need to own the house they live in‚ they need a stake in the business they work for‚ they need access to capital to start their own business.
“And the last E is Employment. Because without a sustainable job‚ you will never be part of the economy. You will be left behind.”
Maimane said he was inspired by Martin Luther King‚ who led a march for jobs and freedom on Washington in 1963 at which he delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech.
“We are not as numerous‚ nor as beautifully eloquent here today.
“But our resolve is as strong.
“We want to unite all South Africans behind the national cause of job creation.”
South Africa can do better than rising unemployment and an escalating cost of living amid patronage and corruption‚ the opposition leader said. “But‚ it all begins with voting for a government that knows how to get the economy moving in the right direction.”
