ANC started programme to train youth

The DA's claim of that party developing a wage subsidy system in the Western Cape is untruthful.

The pro-poor programme to assist youth to get skills-and-work-experience was started in practise on the ANC watch in the Western Cape government under Ms Lynne Brown's tenure as premier.

It never was or is a wage subsidy to young people, but a training opportunity for entry level workers to help them become more employable. It is aimed at alleviating poverty and opening up opportunities for the large numbers of unemployed youth.

It was a limited-period offer for new training positions only and the first employers who signed up agreed to pay all the costs. Thus there was no subsidy.

The provincial government was going to pick up training costs.

Brown announced this programme first in mid-September 2008 and it was then extensively reported in the media. R10 million was set aside to kick-start the programme in the budget speech of March 2009 prior to the elections.

"The DA's bleating and bragging is blunt in the light of the true facts. It once more proves the DA onlypiggy backs on ANC plans and has not come up with something new yet.

"The only initiative thus far by the DA was dubious games of chance like the HIV testing raffle. Therefore the DA's boasting rings hollow. The DA deception is all about smoke and mirrors with words that has very little on offer," says Brown, now leader of the official opposition.

Statement issued by Lynne Brown MPL, ANC leader of the official opposition in the Western Cape legislature, May 21 2012

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