Democratic Alliance (DA) Western Cape premiership candidate Alan Winde highlighted his party's pledge to create 800,000 jobs in its next term while campaigning in Athlone on the Cape Flats on Tuesday.
Provincial incumbent Mr Winde is leading his party's campaign for re-election as the ruling party in the Western Cape. Just over 40 days later, on May 29, South Africans will go to the polls to elect their national and local leaders.
Read more at Daily Maverick: 2024 Election
“Work, work, work,” Winde said outside the call center on Tuesday.
“Here in this state, we need to really focus on our youth and create opportunities for them,” he said.
DA Western Cape premiership candidate Alan Winde addresses young people at the call center training facility in Athlone on April 16, 2024 (Photo: Sune Payne)
He cited the Western Cape's unemployment rate of 20%, the paper said. Quarterly Labor Force Survey (QLFS)the lowest in South Africa.
“So only the provincial government and the Western Cape have a track record like this, and this province is working.”
He said voters need to vote for the DA to keep the state functioning.
In the 2019 general election, DA received 55.45% They are at the top of the state vote and are determined to protect the crown jewel of governance. But this absolute majority is being targeted by political parties who want to push the DA's support below 50% and force a coalition.
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Appeal to young people
Mr. Winde visited a call center that trains young people to work in this field, highlighting a fast-growing industry that offers many employment opportunities.
He spoke to 18-year-olds starting their first jobs who had undergone two weeks of training. Trainers told Winde that new employees are instilled with emotional intelligence, such as being able to withstand insults from rude customers.
“You look like a politician,” Winde jokingly said, drawing laughter from the students.
After speaking to the students about his career from businessman to parliamentarian to now prime minister, Winde encouraged them to become entrepreneurs and, pointing to his gray hair, said: “We need more politicians.'' It will be,” he said.
According to IEC statisticsBy 16 April, there were approximately 60,000 registered voters aged 18-19 and 456,000 registered voters aged 20-29 in the Western Cape.
Winde said getting young people to register and vote is difficult.
“Young people have to understand that it is their future, so they have to focus on that,” he said.
Achievements
Asked whether the promise of 800,000 jobs was just an election campaign, Winde said: We can look back over the past 15 years and say, “What was said and what was done?” And now let's look again at what is being said.
“And when I say 800,000 jobs, that's…I mean, that's an overstatement…I'm pushing the envelope, but I don't want companies to come here and invest here and create jobs. We have a proven track record of success.”
Mr Winde was not specific about how the province would create 800,000 jobs, but said the Western Cape government's Job Growth Strategy would “build in infrastructure that will enable business”. We will make a significant investment.” Eliminate complicated procedures that get in the way of your business. Increase investor confidence. Promote the tourism sector. and ensuring our agricultural sector continues to thrive as one of the state's leading job creators. ”
Winde said. daily maverick He said he would highlight aspects of his party's manifesto in the run-up to the election and show voters its track record on issues ranging from jobs to safety to energy. DM
