Deputy President Mashatile Backs Youth-Focused Leadership Of President Ramaphosa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile said he is confident about President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership as it is focused on youth and their challenges.

Speaking at the 48th anniversary of Youth Day at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo on Sunday, the deputy president said in the next five years, the administration will be focused on creating jobs and building an inclusive and growing economy.

"We will equally focus on implementing a program focused on skilling youth with the skills of the future," he said, SA News reported. "Our young people must have work opportunities."

During the annual event, the deputy president honored the sacrifices of South Africa's youth in the fight for democracy, especially remembering the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976.

Mashatile also spoke about the recently held general elections in the country and said that he believes it showed the country's commitment to democracy with fair and free elections. He told the crowd that their votes sent a clear message to political parties since no party won an outright majority.

Ramaphosa's African National Congress party - known for having the majority of votes for the last three decades - had secured only 40% of the votes this year, marking a significant decline from the 57.5% achieved in 2019.

"You want us as political leaders to put our differences aside and work together to build our country and address the challenges affecting our people. We are determined to put our differences aside and use our collective strength, skills and experience to create the South Africa that the fallen heroes of the 1976 uprising fought for," the deputy president said.

He went on to share that South Africa's two-thirds of the population is young people, making them the biggest community in the country. Hence, it is not possible to move forward without them.

He mentioned the National Development Plan (NDP), which focuses on youth as key to the country's progress, and believes young people are essential for achieving growth goals.

The Deputy President also emphasized the need to include young people in development efforts to tackle issues like poverty, social inequality, poor mental health and high levels of unemployment.