It is no surprise that finding a job as a young person is now harder than ever before. The economic downturns brought on by the pandemic and national government’s lockdowns have resulted in fewer opportunities for recent matriculants and graduates, and it is our responsibility as leaders to proactively find innovative ways to improve the prospects of our youth.

Take for example the issue of driver’s licenses. It is virtually impossible, as a recently graduated young person, to get a job without a driver’s license. Even entry level positions, such as drivers which should provide the employment and skills development for young people, require a license to gain employment. In response to this, I recently acquired private funding from the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust to pay for 100 learners in my constituency to go through the process of gaining their licenses. These learners will gain an invaluable skill for life, which will stand them in good stead as they move forward with their careers.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga recently announced that her department has begun to investigate the possibility of implementing a similar initiative at a national level. While I applaud the prospect of more learners gaining this vital skill as they enter the job market, I have to ask: why is such a simple but impactful initiative taking this long to be implemented? How many learners across the country have missed out on this vital skill?

I would like to close by wishing those learners from my constituency well as they write their exams this weekend, and safe driving as they gain their licenses.