MEDIA STATEMENT OF THE ANCYL ON HERITAGE DAY, EID & RIDICULOUS SALARY INCREASE FOR HLAUDI MOTSOENENG

24 September 2015

The ANC Youth League would like to joins hands in celebratingHeritage Day with all South Africans. Heritage Day is conceived out of a holiday that used to be known as Shaka Day. The ANC Youth League would like recognize the strides made by the ANC led government by transforming this day, to be the Heritage day as it is known today. The transformation of this day to be Heritage day allows all south Africans to celebrate their culture and heritage in their different ways. This day allows all south Africans to treasure our unity in Diversity. 

We note that as we celebrate Heritage Day, we do so whilst sharing common joy with our Muslim community who today are celebrating their EID. This celebration is Eidul Adha commemorating Prophet Abrahams sincerity as an act of submission to God’s command. The prophet Abrahams sincerity resulted in Gods intervention through his angel Jibra’il and a lamb was sacrificed instead of Abrahams Son. It is out of this rich history that Muslims can sacrifice an animal on anyone of the three days of Eidul Adha. 

The ANC Youth League, would like to acknowledge the role the Muslim community has played in the anti –apartheid struggle and the role they continue to play as members of the ANC, ANCYL and as citizens of our country. We also appreciate the role they continue to play in our own struggle as young people in pursuit of Economic Freedom in our lifetime. We would like to join hands in celebration with our Muslim Community this very important day as we emphasize that indeed South Africa is a Country United in Diversity. 

The ANC Youth League notes with great concern that the SABC’s Chief of Operations Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s salary has increased by R 900 000.00 in a space of one year. The public broadcaster's annual report tabled in Parliament yesterday shows Motsoeneng's salary went up from R 2.8 Million to 3.7 Million in the last Financial Year. Although we do not think he was personally responsible of his increase The ANCYL is deeply concerned by this decision which came against the backdrop of a weak economy. 

This proves our long standing view that middle income earners who are mainly young people continue to be frustrated by employers inclusive of private sector employers. These high income gaps that mainly affect young people clearly shows lack of commitment from companies and employers in general to invest in the future of young people. We call on the SABC to set a correct example and not reward top management more at the expense of young middle income earners it employs. This call is made to all employers private and public sector the youth must be taken serious, we are the future.

Statement issued by Mlondi Mkhize, ANCYL National Spokesperson, 24 September 2015