"The Youth Of South Africa Are Struggling To Get By."

Colleagues, it is an honour and privilege for the IFP Youth Brigade to be
here today for this all important meeting. As opposition youth formations we
gather to give credence to the saying that "two minds are better than one".

We meet against the backdrop of the bloody and messy Marikana Massacre,
which, I believe, has scarred our young and fledgling democracy for years to
come. This incident of post -1994 brutality must never be allowed to happen
again as it has far reaching consequences for social development, economic
growth and development and democratic maturity.

We offer our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the families and
friends who lost their loved ones in that dark moment of our history.

Our landmark meeting falls in the month of August , as we celebrate the
collective courage and bravery of the Women of 1956, who stood up against
the oppressive system of their time. We should adopt the same courage and
bravery and fight the oppressive system of our time.

Colleagues, we meet at a time when unemployment in our country is shooting
through the rafters, with 72% of those unemployed being young people. They
are struggling daily to make ends meet; they are struggling to get by. The
continued resistance of the government to implement the Youth Wage Subsidy
compounds the problem of unemployment further.

A government that fails to alleviate the plight of young people compromises
the prospects of hope and prosperity. As long as we have this government we
are in serious trouble because the core concern of the ruling party is
self-enrichment and the consolidation of power at the expense of the poor
and those struggling to get by.

We struggled against apartheid so that we would never have to struggle again
once freedom and democracy was achieved. Yet 18 years after freedom and
democracy South Africans, young and old, across the length and breadth of
our country are struggling to get by.

We need an education system and curriculum that is responsive to the
expectations and needs of the job market. Education in this country receives
the largest percentage share of the budget yet very little progress is being
made to fully equip schools with the necessary resources to improve our
situation. Previously disadvantaged schools are now presently disadvantaged.
There is great neglect of education in this country. Limpopo and Eastern
Cape are a point in case.

The onus is on us gathered here, today, to take progressive and
hope-inducing decisions. Our brothers and sisters are tired of petty
politics. They want from us, their leaders, real solutions to their very
real problems and challenges.

The IFP believes takes seriously the responsibility to unite and strengthen
the voice of opposition youth formations, because the greater majority of
South Africans, and especially the Youth, struggle everyday with serious
poverty, unemployment and economic exclusion.

It is our conviction that working together we can begin to reverse the tide
of entitlement, cynicism, and hopelessness and despair that has swept up the
youth of South Africa.

Yes, we are gathered here as opposition parties but our ultimate role is
being constructive; to offer hope and much needed direction.

We therefore propose today the formation of a multi-sector grassroots
movement, led by the youth of South Africa to save our democracy and
freedom. We need to unite our efforts and stand up and be the vanguards of
democracy.

Colleagues, we need to come out of this meeting with concrete decisions on
how we are going to work towards ensuring that the situation of young people
improves.

It is our hope and belief that we will have productive, positive and
meaningful talks today. For the sake of the youth of South Africa, may we be
frank, forthright and progressive in our deliberations.

I thank you!