MPs call on Ramaphosa to 'treat youth unemployment like a national emergency'

President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced more calls in Parliament to address youth unemployment and to finally declare it a national emergency.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have slammed Ramaphosa over remarks by some African National Congress (ANC) leaders that the youth is not doing enough to find employment.

Members of Parliament's two houses debated Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), which some parties said failed to addressed issues around youth unemployment and lack of economic opportunities.

ALSO READ: SA’s youth unemployment crisis deepens despite marginal uptick in Q4

The second day, Wednesday, of the SONA debate focused a lot on youth unemployment and how it’s becoming a crisis.

The debate came as Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), which showed youth unemployment remains significantly higher than the national average of 31.4%.

ANC member of Parliament (MP) Fasiha Hassan said Ramaphosa must act urgently.

“But President Ramaphosa, I must now speak plainly as a young member of Parliament here. So, here is the demand from us as young people, treat youth unemployment like a national emergency. Not with speeches, but with State power.”

Meanwhile EFF MP Sihle Lonzi slammed Ramaphosa and some of his Cabinet ministers for suggesting the youth is not doing enough to get employment.

“It is a lie that they sit at home and bask under the sun like Minister Gwede Mantashe suggests. They wake up every morning, they ask their family for the last cent. They must choose between buying bread and buying a bus ticket.”

Ramaphosa will respond to issues raised during the two-day debate on Thursday afternoon.