** *Black skin-white masks leading young black souls astray deeper into poverty chambers*
** ** ** ** This week’s events will indubitably go down in the pages of history without any dithering. South Africans witnessed a questionable march to COSATU House, led by the Democratic Alliance on the Youth wage subsidy. Young black people and isolated sprinkles of white youths were gathered at the library square in Johannesburg, wearing DA regalia. For the DA this was a victory and opportune moment to bring meat to their empty sloganeering of championing the interests of the poor. The largest contradiction was that the DA was marching to an organisation that has been stead fast and consistent on issues of unemployment, an organisation that has championed the interest of the working class. Cosatu has unequivocally fought against blatant exploitation of workers, a decent living wage for all workers; even if it meant at times antagonising structures it has long been in alliances with. The DA bleakly failed to address the plight of farm workers in the wine yards of the Western Cape where it’s governing. **** ** ** The Youth wage subsidy has become a cheap, quick podium for triumphalism for the DA; sadly the energy has been directed wide off the mark- to an organisation representing workers and not a political party with a political standing in parliament or leading government. **** Cosatu has a descending view on the youth wage subsidy, rightfully so. All Cosatu did was oppose it and give substantial reasons for it. What the DA did was tantamount to intimidating Cosatu for its perspective informed of course of the constituency it represents. Other formations such as the YCL have also come out against the wage subsidy equally informed of the voices they represent in society. One can only wonder with shivers what the DA would have done if it had state power, probably all Cosatu members would have been in detention as we speak as well as leaders of the youth formations that were at Cosatu defending Cosatu house.**** ** ** The constitution is resolute on the right to march or petition. This march however has raised a number of pertinent ideological contradictions which the DA has exposed itself to. Firstly the DA is the largest opposition political party, forming part of the State machinery. It equally seats on Nedlac where the issue of the Youth Wage subsidy has been debated by major stakeholders, in this instance Business, Labour and government. It is better positioned to lobby government directly and influence policy “internally” then Cosatu. **** ** ** Another blatant factor that the DA misses is that it wasn’t predominantly Cosatu members who were lined up around Cosatu in defence. It was young people who were defending the social standing of an organisation that has long represented their views publicly not seeking to score any political points. It was members of the ANCYL, Union Youth desks, the YCL, SASCO members and largely young people that share the sentiments of Cosatu on the Youth wage subsidy. This ironically is the same DA which unremorsefully advocates that labour broking- a modern day slavery system, remains intact as it efficiently serves Corporate SA, the biggest constituency of the DA- owners of means of production who exploit the youth in the mining, retail and services sector. **** ** ** The Youth wage subsidy should not be distorted and viewed as an initiative coming from the DA. The ANC led government has proposed this as a means inter alia, to curb the unemployment crisis which is one of the diagnoses of the NPC report- largely distressing the youth. **** The major bone of contention on the Youth Wage subsidy is its resilience against potential abuse by companies. It is now being utilised as a tool for political warfare drowning the voices of the actual people who will be affected. The government should insist on engaging the real major stakeholder in this proposed Youth wage subsidy -the youth of this country. **** ** ** The march uncovered another negative aspect; to what extent do young people understand this proposed intervention by government and what the economical impact will be in changing the unemployment status quo? Has the government effectively engaged for example the PYA, BMF Young professionals and major key youth formations within our society to an extent that its definite that there will be no room for misinterpretation and hostile revolt should it be implemented? If the DA had a proper advisory committee they would also understand that Cosatu’s argument is largely based on the fact that this would prejudice the older working guard which is largely the constituency of Cosatu. So marching with thousands of young people to Cosatu was a mere fruitless and unfortunately a futile exercise resulting in casualties for absolutely NO reason apart from a PR exercise for DA’s redemption in the eyes of the black majority. **** ** ** Organisations which should be at the forefront in engaging on this matter is youth formations largely given the constituency they draw form e.g. YCL, ANCYL, SASCO,COSAS,BMFYP, Union Youth desks etc representing unemployed and employed youth in the private sector to get both perspectives. These are the minds better placed to engage on this proposal. Who exactly is to blame for leaving thousands of young black people vulnerable to the hands of “black skin- white masks” paraders- it’s us.**** ** ** The Youth wage subsidy unfortunately will have unintended consequences if all parties involved fail to share a common perspective on its framework and don’t consult the end recipients. Government has bended over backwards timeously for the private sector, without receiving the same commitment from the sector. When government initiated incentivised training, it was an attempt to ensure that mostly young people get skilled and subsequently become employable, instead we witnessed Seta’s becoming cash cows which unfortunately have become a severe head ache for the Higher education minister. Young people ended up in large numbers being bombarded with learnership certificates which have not assisted them with employment. Instead companies cashed in including bogus trainers. **** ** ** Consistently government has had to incentives the private sector to employ people making it susceptible to manipulation, giving it more power to demand concessions from government in order for them to come to the table. Government protected many industries in times of the recession and yet private sector still fails to honour their commitments on some of the conditions which were laid out for bail outs- especially on the retention of workers. **** ** ** The Youth wage subsidy has the potential of being no different; the proposed subsidy does not indicate to what extent is the youth employee protected. Does this subsidy come with conditions that the person employed should at least be guaranteed a certain period of employment? If not, the private company can merely milk the subsidy indefinitely- changing youth faces in one position. Who will monitor that youth is actually employed in those companies. The fact that the DA advocates for the subsidy should get us worried; clearly this is an opportunity for the real constituency it represents. The issue of unemployment is not solely the responsibility of the government yet we are fast seeing a trend where it seems as if the government should be begging the private sector to employ people. **** ** ** The DA madam was smart to enough to use black faces to lure thousands of young black people to the PR parade. This is a time for progressive youth formations to introspect on the loop holes opened for opportunists as a result of petty politicking. Young people remain vulnerable, desperate and impatient for change. If consciousness about such dangers of “black skin-white masks” predators is not entrenched, we leave our youth lingering and at their mercy, as they desperately try to stay afloat in the sea of poverty.**** ** ** We should also be weary of the power the media holds to create perceptions. The DA has been perceived as a champion of the poor “overnight” and that Cosatu has become the stumbling block for change. This has been done in a day by the media. Such practices expose who sets the agenda of “public interest and opinion”. Ours is to continue to defend the revolution and ensure that the disparagement of our youth by the DA does not find space and be exposed. Young black people want proper transformation and to partake in the mainstream of the economy. If the DA is really serious about the ailing conditions of the unemployed youth, it should initiate schemes where we will see wine yards being owned by workers in the Western Cape. lets ask ourselves what the Wage subsidy is intended to do, and firstly properly understand the framework to minimise the impact of untintended consequernces. It should never be a tool to replace existing staff which is a danger highlighted by Cosatu. If we dont agree on the Youth Wage subsidy lets then speak on the alternatives to address the objective of ensurinmg that unskilled young people get opportunities. ** Gugu Ndima **** ** ** ** ** ** ------------------------------ -- You are subscribed. 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