ANC will focus on youth, says president

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa told the Methodist Church of South Africa that the ANC was focusing on young people, as they would determine how successful the country would become over the next quarter of a century.

Ramaphosa was invited to speak at the church’s coastal region gathering in Durban, by Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala.

“There are more young people in universities and colleges, and this is the best position for our young people,” he said, adding that the government would focus on early childhood development to ensure that all children were given an equal start in life.

“The first thousand days are crucial and we want to focus on nutrition and healthcare. Many young people are not working even when they have degrees and diplomas,” he said. “We are going to create jobs – young people must be employed and they must play a role as they will inherit the country.”

Ramaphosa said the last 25 years had been crucial, but the lessons had been learned and would be reinforced over the next quarter of a century.

On Saturday, Ramaphosa highlighted comments made on education in his January 8 speech, saying the party was particularly proud of the fact that pupils from predominantly poor and working-class backgrounds (quintiles 1-3) again made up the great majority of those attaining good passes.

“President (Nelson) Mandela said it best when he said: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ “

Ramaphosa asked the church to pray for the party and for the country ahead of the national elections, saying “all of us need your prayers and we should know we have your support, but also that you are walking this path with us”.