Youth demand government contracts

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Alex Youth Forum has expressed its frustration and anger at being excluded from income and job opportunities in government-sponsored renewal projects in their area.

They handed a memorandum to the Johannesburg Development Agency at the Alex Multi Purpose Centre on 8th Avenue in the presence of police, the area councillor, Chris Mabunda, and deputy chief whip of council, Justice Ngalonkulu.

The agency assumed custody of the area’s development from a background of discontent and protests by residents linked to allegations of failures and corruption by its predecessor, Alex Renewal Project, in the delivery of social services and economic empowerment of residents.

The memorandum was laced with angry statements which they said had been brewing for some time and which may spill out to the streets if their demands were not heeded.

The five-point memorandum, which was accepted by the agency’s chief executive office Thanduxolo Mendrew. It condemned the awarding of contracts worth billions to external contractors at the exclusion of locals, and especially youth and businesses, and projects they said Alex residents were qualified and experienced to do.

They demand:

•  Sixty percent of all jobs contracted by the agency must be reserved for youths in the area.
•  Thirty percent of all the agency’s procurement must be preserved for youth-owned and -operated businesses in the area.
•  All companies benefiting from the agency’s contracts must invest part of their profits on local social investment initiatives like education, sports and recreation.
•  All companies benefiting from the agency’s contracts must provide accredited and certified skills development training for the youths they will have engaged.
•  All companies benefiting from the agency’s contracts must provide mentorship for 12 months to all the youth they engage.

Mendrew promised to respond within seven days as demanded, but would do so within the constraints of government’s procedures and processes.

In support of the memorandum, chairperson of the forum, Sam Ngoatjane, said the demands were long overdue and local leadership and government were aware of the issue. “The demands take into account numerous experienced youth businesses which can do most of the agency’s work. Any delay in implementing them will only heighten tensions, anger and result in demonstrations.”

Phumzile Sithole, regional executive committee member of the ANC Youth League, said their demands were part of the continuing struggle. “They relate with the party’s [ANC] agenda for economic empowerment, social integration and participatory development,” she said.