Unemployed graduates demand money to hunt jobs
UNEMPLOYED graduates in the Eastern Cape have called on the government to give each unemployed graduate a monthly stipend of R3 000 to assist them with job seeking.
Hundreds of unemployed graduates yesterday marched to the premier’s office in Bhisho to demand jobs.
The march was a continuation of a series of flash mobs staged by the #HireAGraduate movement last week.
Clad in graduation attire, the unemployed graduates gathered at the Bhisho Stadium and marched to the premier’s office.
Holding placards with messages such as “Nepotism must fall” and “Down with sex for jobs”, the graduates peacefully walked to the premier’s office chanting revolutionary songs such as meaning “What have we done to deserve this”.
The marchers were led by police vehicles and traffic officers who were ensuring the safety of the marchers and directing traffic.
The graduates were met by police at the gates of the premier’s office and had to wait for almost two hours for the premier who was said to be delayed in a meeting.
Undeterred by the scorching heat and hunger, the graduates addressed the premier and handed over their memorandum of demands.
Reading the memorandum, chairwoman of the movement Siphamandla Kashe said job hunting was an expensive process.
“We have to pay for transport, make photocopies, fax, e-mail and buy envelopes. For someone who is unemployed job hunting becomes expensive,” said Kashe.
The movement also called for an end to nepotism by government officials and also proposed that the retirement age be moved to 50 years old for voluntary retirement, 55 years old for compulsory retirement and 60 years old for late retirement.
“We have observed people hiring unqualified family members,” said Kashe.
Other demands include an end to “exploitation” of government interns and an end to the “exaggeration” of government job requirements.
Among the marchers were two friends, Khunjuzwa Matyoyi and Antanna Gola, who both went back to university in their 40s.
“We thought education was key, but clearly it is not. We cannot even encourage our kids to study because they have seen education has done nothing for us.”
Accepting the memorandum, premier Phumulo Masualle’s apology for being late was met by murmurs from members of the crowd expressing their thirst and hunger.
Masualle said the government would go through the memorandum in detail and see what was workable.
“I’m sure action to address this problem will be taken before the cut-off date for response,” said Masualle.
The movement gave Masualle until March 22 to respond.