Bringing Practical Job Support to Buffalo Flats Youth

Statement by Leander Kruger MPL – DA Buffalo City Constituency Leader:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) brought its JobsConnectEC campaign to Billy Francis Hall in Greenpoint Road, Buffalo Flats, today, as part of our continued effort to connect young people in Buffalo City with practical tools, training, and real employment opportunities.

Young people from areas such as Braelyn, Duncan Village, Pefferville, Vergenoeg, Egoli, East Bank, Haven Hills, Muvhango, and Rosedale live with the daily reality of an economy that is not creating enough work. In too many homes, young people are ready to work, but have no clear path into employment.

The Eastern Cape continues to have the highest official unemployment rate in South Africa, currently at 44.6%.

Unemployment is the reason families struggle to put food on the table, school-leavers sit at home without direction, and graduates lose hope after sending out application after application with no response.

JobsConnectEC is designed to bridge the gap between job seekers and opportunity.

At the Buffalo Flats event, participants received practical support with CV writing, skills registration, interview preparation, aptitude testing, and access to information on available opportunities.

This is the kind of direct, practical intervention that young people need. They do not need more speeches about jobs. They need help to prepare properly, apply confidently, and connect with employers, training providers, and opportunities that can move them forward.

Buffalo City cannot afford to lose another generation to unemployment. Every young person helped into work, training, or a credible next step strengthens a household and gives that community a better chance of recovery.

The DA will continue to take practical opportunity-building programmes into communities across Buffalo City and the Eastern Cape. Our goal is to help people move from waiting for opportunity to being ready for it when it comes.