By Akani Nkuna
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has backed calls by the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) for youth unemployment to be declared a national disaster, describing the crisis as both deep and urgent.
Addressing the ANCYL’s 27th National Congress at Turfloop University in Polokwane, Limpopo, Ramaphosa said the scale of youth unemployment demanded extraordinary interventions and a sharper focus on sectors capable of absorbing young people into the economy.
“The ANC Youth League asked that youth unemployment must be declared a national disaster … This is indicative of the depth of the crisis and the seriousness with which it must be addressed,” Ramaphosa said.
“We should turbocharge our attention in a number of sectors — particularly manufacturing, mining and agriculture.”
He singled out agriculture as a sector with strong growth potential, arguing that mass participation by young people could significantly lift economic performance.
“If we can get as many young
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