Unemployed youth to march to Luthuli House over Mantashe's 'proactive' job remarks

The African National Congress (ANC) is bracing for a protest on Monday as unemployed youth prepare to march to the party’s Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg.

The protest follows remarks by ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, who claimed that young people were not proactive when applying for jobs.

During a television interview with the SABC, Mantashe insisted the ANC had created an environment in which citizens expected the government to provide everything.

His comments angered many young people, who believed that Mantashe appeared out of touch with the lived realities of the unemployed.

The national youth unemployment march was expected to start near the Johannesburg library on Monday morning, with the ANC’s national headquarters as its destination.

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Unemployed young people who have been searching tirelessly for job opportunities were urged to bring their CVs and qualifications, which they would leave on the ANC’s doorstep.

Despite the uproar, Mantashe has not retracted his statements, maintaining that he was misunderstood. ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula recently urged the chairperson to clarify his remarks.

"That matter is not a joking matter. It’s a serious matter and must be clarified properly. If comrade Gwede was not properly quoted, he must get to the media in the coming week and clarify himself," said Mbalula.

Various civil and political organisations were expected to form part of Monday’s march.