The Gauteng Youth Brigades, a group of 32,000 teachers’ assistants, have raised their voices in protest against the unfulfilled promises of permanent employment made by the Premier, Panyaza Lesufi. These young people, who were initially employed under the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), are now left in a state of uncertainty as their contracts have ended, and they have not received payment for July.
“We started last year in February under the PYEI program,” shared Bongani Mthembu, 34, one of the affected youth brigades. “Our contracts ended in December, and we were called to Dobsonville Stadium by the Premier, who assured us that we would remain in contact until the National Government decided on our future. He never told us the contract would end.”
The protestors are demanding the jobs they were promised, emphasizing the significant impact their roles have had on schools and communities. “Some of us are working with kids and teachers who have welcomed us into their schools. We’ve formed bonds with the students and staff, and now we are being forced to leave,” Mthembu added. “Even my principal called me, saying it’s a heavy-duty since I’ve been gone.”
The group’s frustration is further fueled by the government’s lack of communication and perceived manipulation for political gain. “We are used for votes, and after that, we are back to square one,” said Mthembu. “They say the unemployment rate has decreased, but if they terminate us, 32,000 people will be unemployed again, and the number will go up.”
The youth brigades also revealed that they were unaware they were part of the “Nasi iSpani” initiative and felt deceived by the government. “It’s not just us—those in the solar panel programs are also joining us in the march because nobody was called under Nasi iSpani,” Mthembu explained. “We were used just for votes.”
Despite the challenges, the youth brigades remain determined to fight for their rights. “We are going to protest; we are going to the MEC’s office, and we will not rest. We will sleep at the Union Buildings or the President’s gate until we get answers,” Mthembu declared. “If they do the Gauteng nation address, we will boycott it because some of us were shot and attacked by police during the rally.”
The protestors are adamant that the government has the budget to fulfill their demands. “They cannot say they don’t have the budget; they do. They are just lying to us,” Mthembu insisted. “Even Panyaza must allocate the budget. They cannot say they are going to increase the R350 to R370, yet claim they don’t have money.”
Mthembu emphasized the importance of government support for the youth to prevent them from turning to crime or drugs. “The government must support us because we will end up smoking drugs and committing crime. They are supposed to invest in us as the youth,” he stated. “The number one topic they should be discussing is us, the youth.”
As the protest continues, the Gauteng Youth Brigades call on the people of Ekurhuleni to support their cause. “We want permanent jobs, and we will be united as a stand,” Mthembu said. “It’s going to be a long battle, but we will win it because this is our country, and we belong here. We are the citizens of this country, and we have voted. Panyaza played us very well, but we want permanent jobs.”
The future of these 32,000 young people remains uncertain, but their determination and unity in the face of adversity show that they will not be silenced until their voices are heard, and their demands met.
By Sibongile Sokela
