Former assistant teachers protested during the State of the Province Address in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni. Photo by Happy Mnguni
Gauteng youth brigades protested outside the SOPA address at Tsolo Section in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni demanding permanent jobs which were promised by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Thursday, 15 August. @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/YySFhqLRFs
— happy mnguni (@happy_mnguni) August 15, 2024
FORMER assistant teachers felt betrayed by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
They were part of the Nasi Ispani recruitment programme.
But the contracts of the former assistant teachers, known as youth brigades, ended in June, leaving them unemployed.
On Thursday, 15 August, they protested near Change Bible Church in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, during the State of the Province Address (Sopa) by Panyaza.
They demanded permanent jobs while the police kept a close watch on them.
Mpho Nyalunga (24) from Hammanskraal in Tshwane said he feels betrayed by Lesufi.
He mentioned that all the former assistant teachers had worked for a year and six months.
“We were hoping that the contracts would be turned into permanent jobs. But in the end, we received a notice from the Department of Education stating they don’t have enough funds to carry on with the programme,” Mpho said.
He said that they went to protest at the Sopa because they wanted to be reinstated.
Former assistant teachers Mpho Nyalunga and Mamello Segale feel betrayed by the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Photo by Happy Mnguni
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“The termination of their contracts has affected 32 000 youth who are now jobless.
“We think Premier Panyaza could’ve done means to ensure he keeps our jobs and the programme running,” Mpho said.
Another angry protester, Mamello Segale (31) from Randfontein on the West Rand, said they went to the Sopa to voice their frustrations.
“It’s been a month since our contracts were terminated. We are feeling the pain and becoming burdens to our families. Being unemployed is one of the worst things a person can go through. The premier must make a plan and give us our jobs back,” Mamello said.
Gauteng premier spokesman Vuyo Mhaga said they were aware of the youth who protested last week.
He said the programme was under the Presidential Youth Programme rolled across the country.
“The programme ended in 2023, but the province extended the Gauteng version for an additional six months. Unfortunately, the programme has not been renewed nationally, and it has become unaffordable for the province to continue with it.
“However, we believe young people in that programme will apply and benefit from the R1,1billion skills fund and R8 billion training from the UIF,” said Mhaga.
Happy Mnguni
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