Last month (17 September 2024), we highlighted the issue of funding employment initiatives - particularly in the teaching sector. A civil society organization wrote a letter to the Department of Labour on the status of teaching assistants, the impact the employment initiative has had for young people wanting to part of the basic education system and if there will be funding provided for the next recruitment for Basic Education Employment Initiative. Earlier this year, Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the extension of R7.4 billion for the Presidential Employment Initiative in the medium-term. If this disbursement is not released, the Department of Basic Education cannot go forward with the recruitment process (Phase V) of new teaching assistants. Since 2020, the Basic Education Employment Initiative has helped 22 000 schools and provided work opportunities for up to 300 000 young people across the country.

The Acting Director General of the Department of Employment and Labour made a commitment to provide updates on the disbursement of funds and there will be an announcement on implementation. Since our initial discussion, Youth Capital has only received an acknowledgement from the Department of Labour and Employment on the letter. There has been no meeting has been set or updates provided on the progress of this disbursement.

Guest: Viwe Mlezana - Acting Director-​General of Employment and Labour