ANC wants Mantashe to clarify comments that SA youth are lazy

African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Gwede Mantashe has been urged to clarify his comments suggesting that young people are unwilling to apply for jobs.

Mantashe has faced backlash following remarks made during a television interview, where he claimed that unemployed youth don’t want to apply for employment.

The ANC Youth League and several other organisations have described the comments as ignorant and tone-deaf.

Speaking at the annual Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture in the North West on Friday evening, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula called on Mantashe to clarify his statements.

“That matter must be clarified. If it isn’t clarified, it will remain that the national chair said that young people are lazy and aren’t applying for jobs. That’s what the media has said,” mouthed Mbalula.

Mbalula claims Mantashe informed him that he was misquoted, although the comments were made during a live television interview.

“If he does not clarify himself, I will issue a statement on behalf of the ANC to reprimand him. If those are his views, they cannot be the views of the national chair of the ANC.”