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IOL News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Why South Africa's R700 million National Dialogue won't solve youth unemployment
DESPITE clear challenges facing South Africa like rampant youth unemployment, deepening inequality, crime, and a failing economy, the government still insists on a multimillion rand national dialogue. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers As an activist who works directly with young people, I've seen firsthand the heartbreak and frustration that unemployment causes. Every day, I listen to young graduates with no job prospects, informal traders struggling to scale, and young minds with brilliant ideas but limited access to funding. So when I hear that R700 million is being allocated to a National Dialogue, I can't help but ask: is this really what South Africa needs right now? There are more than 8 million unemployed young people in this country. That number isn't just a statistic—it's a sign of deep social failure. We are sitting on a ticking time bomb, and the government's answer is to talk? Dialogue in principle is not a bad thing. In a society still scarred by division and inequality, talking to each other is necessary. But dialogue alone does not change the material conditions of people's lives. Talking doesn't put food on the table. It doesn't create jobs. It doesn't fix broken infrastructure or fund small businesses. Next Stay Close ✕ And it certainly doesn't justify spending nearly three-quarters of a billion rand in a country where young people are starving for opportunity. The R700 million cost is not small change. It could fund 70,000 learnerships at R10,000 each - giving young people valuable skills, experience, and a chance to enter the formal economy. It could provide R20,000 micro-grants to over 35,000 youth-led startups, spurring township economies and cutting youth dependency on social grants. That money could be used to scale digital skills programs, agricultural projects, artisan training, or green energy initiatives - all sectors with the potential to absorb youth and create sustainable employment. But instead, that money is being poured into venues, catering, travel, consultancy fees, and bureaucratic processes. All for a conversation. Young people are tired of being told their voices matter, while no one listens to their cries for jobs and dignity. We've attended the youth summits. We've sat in roundtable discussions. We've made submissions to policy documents that no one reads. And nothing changes. We don't need another conference. We need commitment. Action. Budgets that reflect our reality, not political posturing. Let me be clear: we are not asking for handouts. We are asking for investment. We are asking to be equipped to drive our development. Every day, young people are launching businesses, running coding workshops, setting up farming cooperatives, creating art, and building apps. But without support, these efforts burn out. What we need is access - access to funding, markets, tools, and mentorship. The real tragedy is not that we lack ideas; it is that we fail to implement them. It's that the government doesn't trust us enough to invest in them. If R700 million were placed in a youth innovation fund, administered by young people for young people, we'd see immediate results. Imagine community centres turned into business hubs. Empty municipal buildings repurposed into training facilities. Peer-led mentorship programs in every township and rural district. This is not a fantasy. It is a possibility, if priorities are set right. The gap between government and the youth is not just economic, it's moral. It's about trust, dignity, and respect. When money is constantly spent on events and bureaucracy while students sleep in libraries and informal workers get harassed by police, it tells us exactly where we stand: nowhere near the top. A national dialogue, in theory, sounds noble. But in a country facing a youth unemployment crisis of over 60%, any initiative not directly creating jobs or building pathways into employment must be questioned. Talking is not the problem. The problem is inaction. The problem is misplaced spending. The problem is a government that is more comfortable performing empathy than practising it. R700 million could change lives. It could light up rural communities with business activity. It could turn informal traders into formal employers. It could make learnerships more accessible to millions who are currently excluded from the system. Instead, it's being funnelled into a process that has no guarantee of tangible outcomes. At this point, young people don't want to be included in dialogues-they wish to be included in budgets. To empower youth, fund their futures. Don't invite them to another table where the agenda has already been written. Don't ask them to speak while you've already decided what you're going to do. We are not anti-dialogue. We are anti-waste. We are anti-symbolism without substance. If this National Dialogue cannot lead to immediate, job-creating action, then it is not worth the cost. If you genuinely want to change lives, stop hosting summits and start funding solutions. The youth of South Africa have waited long enough. We are not lazy. We are not entitled. We are ready. But we are also tired, tired of empty promises dressed up as progress. This is not a call for more words. It's a call for choices that put people first. And that begins by asking a simple question: if you had R700 million and 8 million unemployed young people, would you talk, or would you act? *Mayalo is an independent writer and the views expressed here are not necessarily those of IOL and Independent Media
IOL News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Budget cuts threaten scholar transport for thousands of KZN learners
The MEC stated that they are currently providing scholar transport to about 77 000 pupils in close to 400 schools, with a budget for this function of around R 300 million. However the programme still has a backlog of 1 571 schools on the waiting list, adding that an additional 234 000 learners require the service. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers The provision of scholar transport for thousands of learners to schools in KwaZulu-Natal is in jeopardy after the provincial Department of Transport revealed that the function will be 'disrupted' as a result of budget cuts. During a budget hearing yesterday, it stated to Portfolio Committee members that it needs more than R2 billion in additional funding to provide the service in full to those still on the waiting list. Unfortunately, it does not have this money. 'Due to budget cuts, the scholar transport system will be disrupted; consequently, we are likely to experience protests from scholar transport service providers. We have met with the MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, and the MEC for Finance, Francois Rodgers, to discuss these challenges," said MEC Siboniso Duma. 'Apart from preparing and presenting a report to the cabinet, we agreed to convene a key meeting with education stakeholders. We want to ensure that we explain our challenges to operators, school governing bodies, organised labour, and other key stakeholders,' he said. The MEC stated that they are currently providing scholar transport to about 77,000 pupils in close to 400 schools, with a budget for this function of around R300 million. Despite the coverage outlined, the programme still has a backlog of 1,571 schools on the waiting list, adding that an additional 234,000 learners require the service. The MEC said they need more than R2 billion in funding to meet all these objectives and they did not have these funds. 'We are highlighting this because we understand that today (Tuesday) is the reopening of schools, and among other issues that are taking place, it could be this matter,' the MEC said. 'It is important to highlight to the honourable members and members of the public that we have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Education. This MoU provides details in terms of roles and responsibilities. We are guided by the National Learner Transport Policy, which has some important provisions that include that the Provincial Department of Education is responsible for selecting learners who will benefit from subsidised learner transport services,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He further stated that the MoU also stipulates that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is responsible for the procurement of scholar transport service providers. 'That learners who walk a minimum of 5 kilometres to the nearest school should be provided with learner transport and that learner transport will be subsidised to the nearest appropriate school only and not to a school of parental choice. There is also a provincial policy called the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Learner Transport Policy. 'This policy states that learners who walk a minimum distance of 3 kilometres to the nearest appropriate school qualify for subsidised dedicated learner transport. The KwaZulu-Natal Learner Transport Policy also provides that learners who attend the school of parental choice do not benefit from the dedicated learner transport programme,' he said. Riona Gokool, the DA spokesperson on Transport, expressed deep concern regarding the persistent failures of the Department of Transport in effectively delivering scholar transport to thousands of deserving learners. 'The DA notes that millions are budgeted annually for scholar transport in KwaZulu-Natal. Yet, countless learners, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas, continue to walk long, unsafe distances to school. These delays and disruptions not only endanger lives but also directly impact academic performance and dropout rates.' She said the party is calling for a full audit of the current scholar transport beneficiaries and service providers, an investigation into procurement practices related to the programme, and immediate publication of a turnaround plan with measurable milestones, timelines, and accountability mechanisms. 'The DA will continue to fight for the rights of every child in KwaZulu-Natal to have safe access to education. We will hold this Department accountable in the Legislature and through all available oversight mechanisms. We owe it to the children of this province to do better,' she said. THE MERCURY
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
CCMA steps in as FlySafair pilots strike over pay dispute
Some travelers faced uncertainty at Cape Town International Airport as FlySafair's check-in counters and grounded planes reflected the ongoing pilot strike, with many flights canceled on July 21, 2025, amid wage disputes and demands for better working conditions. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has been roped in to mediate the dispute between FlySafair and trade union Solidarity, in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. This comes as around 200 pilots represented by Solidarity embarked on a 14-day strike at FlySafair on Monday after wage negotiations deadlocked. The pilots are demanding a 10.5% baseline increase alongside adjustments to flight pay and bonuses for the next financial year, and then 4.5% and 4% respectively for the two years thereafter. They rejected the proposed 5.7% salary increase by FlySafair. Solidarity deputy general secretary of public sector, Helgard Cronjé, on Monday expressed cautious optimism following FlySafair's turnabout to engage in mediation at the insistence of the CCMA. Cronjé said the negotiations could have begun earlier, potentially averting a strike that threatens to disrupt air travel for thousands of passengers as FlySafair had to cancel at least 26 flights on Monday. Cronjé articulated doubts regarding FlySafair's urgency in addressing the ongoing crisis, adding that their request to negotiate was not being taken seriously. 'FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lock-out will be. It is costing them too much and the passengers are paying the price,' Cronjé said. 'Still, FlySafair has indicated that they are willing to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table.' Cronjé said Solidarity was hoping that FlySafair's agreement to the mediation process will mark the beginning of real solutions that address the concerns of their pilots with genuine seriousness and that could pave the way for improved working relations in the future. The trade union last week accused FlySafair of failing to agree to pilots' demands while most senior management members, CEO Elmar Conradie and CFO Pieter Richards, had allegedly earned more than R90 million by selling shares as the company is in a very favourable financial position. Meanwhile, FlySafair had earlier defended the offer it made to its pilots, saying that it was already 1.5% above the rate of consumer inflation when factoring in additional benefits, and was a competitive rate in the market. FlySafair said its pilots, particularly its captains, were among the highest-paid professionals in the country, earning between R1.8m and R2.3m a year, landing them in the top 1% of earners nationally. The airline said while such raises as per Solidarity demands may appear justifiable to some, the total economic impact proposed would exceed a staggering 20% increase in overall compensation, and this was unsustainable. In terms of workload, FlySafair said captains spent an average of 63 hours last month in the cockpit flying passengers, well within regulatory limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority, IATA, and ICAO, which cap flight duty at 100 hours per month. Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair, said the management team's offer was crafted with the intention of balancing fair compensation with the financial realities faced by the airline and its 1 700 employees. 'A second area of contention is the pilot roster system implemented by FlySafair at the start of the year. This system—standard across the global airline industry and in force in every other airline in South Africa—allows pilots to receive their full monthly rosters by the 20th of the preceding month, enabling personal planning and scheduling. It also includes a preferential leave bidding process and a structured marketplace to facilitate duty swaps within regulated flight and duty limits,' Gordon said. 'The system was designed to improve operational efficiency and provide pilots with maximum flexibility. Attempts by Solidarity to alter or limit this system would strip away its key benefits, undermining FlySafair's ability to compete with other airlines and maintain cost-effective operations.' Gordon said their goal remained to reach a reasonable resolution quickly and committed the airline to engaging with our pilots in good faith and finding a way forward that balances fairness for our people with our responsibility to customers and the sustainability of the business. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
FlySafair pilots strike: Mediation process begins amid flight cancellations
Travelers face uncertainty at Cape Town International Airport as FlySafair's check-in counters and grounded planes reflect the ongoing pilot strike, with many flights canceled on July 21, 2025, amid wage disputes and demands for better working conditions. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media AS the FlySafair pilot's strike enters day two, the deadlock between management and trade union Solidarity now forms part of a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) process. On Monday afternoon Solidarity said it welcomed FlySafair's decision to participate in the mediation process as requested by the CCMA, in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. Solidarity said approximately 90% of FlySafair's pilots affiliated with the union declared their willingness to strike for one day and in response, FlySafair indicated that they would lock out the pilots for a period of seven days. A number of flights were cancelled at Cape Town International Airport due to the pilot's strike. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Disruptions could last up to two weeks and Solidarity said it is determined to resolve the situation at the negotiating table for the sake of its members and passengers. FlySafair Monday morning said its hands were tied after the company received last-minute updates from certain pilots informing the carrier that they would not make it to work on Monday morning, forcing the cancellation of at least 26 flights. In an interview with IOL at the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer for FlySafair, said the interruption of flights is regrettable and has left some passengers stranded. "What we are experiencing at the moment is that we have an industrial action on the part of our pilots, they have embarked on a stay-away strike which started today. They have deemed it to happen for two weeks. "Unfortunately, we had a number of commitments from a number of pilots to be able to cover our schedule today. Late last night, we received information from several of them, that they would be unable to fulfil their duties. As a result, we have had to cancel 26 of 174 flights today. So there has been cancellations which we apologise very deeply to our customers who have been stranded. Unfortunately, our hands are tied in this regard, because of the industrial action that is going on," he said. As an intervention, Gordon told IOL that Flysafair teams were assisting customers, and in some instances giving refunds. "Our teams are here and available to assist as much as they possibly can. We have booked passengers on other flights in the future, and with public carriers, where we have that available. Where that is not an option, we are issuing immediate refunds as quickly as we can," said Gordon. "We continue to approach them (the negotiations) with good faith. At this stage, we are still quite far apart. Unfortunately, the unions' demands are very high. They have been speaking about a demand of a 10 percent increase in salaries," said Gordon. "Actually, when one considers the full cost-to-company, that's more than 20.1 percent, which at the back of R1.8 to R2 million salary, which puts pilots within the top one percent of earners in this country, you can understand that it is just an untenable position." According to Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of public industry at Solidarity, there are still doubts about whether FlySafair is approaching the situation with the necessary urgency. 'FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lock-out will be. It is costing them too much and the passengers are paying the price. 'Still, FlySafair has indicated that they are willing to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table,' said Cronjé. Cape Times
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town volunteers embody Mandela Day spirit at Ladles of Love
Volunteers from various companies unite at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town to celebrate Mandela Day and support Ladles of Love's mission to alleviate hunger. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers The DHL Stadium in Cape Town was transformed into a hub of goodwill as the world celebrated Mandela Day. Hundreds of volunteers from across the Mother City braved the cold, and came together for Ladles of Love's annual flagship event. Employees from a diverse range of companies, including Inspire Rentals, DHL Stadium, Kyalami Grand Race Circuit, AGT Foods, Rhodes Food Group, Wimpy, Deloitte, Takealot Group, FPG Group, Independent Media, and Premier Fishing, to name but a few, participated in a day of service. From packing sandwiches, assembling food buckets and creating learning materials for children, the teams contributed to Ladles of Love's mission to alleviate hunger and uplift communities. Volunteers gather at DHL Stadium for Mandela Day, supporting Ladles of Love's mission. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Under the Mandela Day theme 'It's In Your Hands', the event highlighted the values of ubuntu and collective action. A spokesperson from Premier Fishing said, 'This day is not about individual recognition, but about what we can achieve together as a society when we put compassion into action.' Chantel Zvichauya, who volunteered on behalf of Premier Fishing, added, 'It was a privilege to contribute even in a small way. to such a meaningful cause. There's a real sense of unity when people from all walks of life come together to give back. That's what Mandela Day is all about.' Since March 2020, Ladles of Love has provided over 48 million meals, with events like this amplifying their reach and impact. Their Mandela Day activations in Cape Town and Johannesburg offer a way for individuals and businesses to live out Madiba's legacy, not just through donations, but through hands-on participation. The event was a reminder that real change happens when people and organisations work side by side to uplift others, honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela through action. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
