DA governed Kouga committed to empowering the youth and creating job opportunities

Issued by Dr Vicky Knoetze MPL – Kouga Constituency Leader
31 Jan 2025 in Press Statements

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape is proud to acknowledge the DA-led Kouga Municipality’s commitment to addressing unemployment, particularly among young people, in the region.

We congratulate Mayor Hattingh Bornman and his team for organising the inaugural Kouga Careers Expo, which aims to empower high school learners and unemployed youth.

Scheduled to take place in Jeffreys Bay on 10 and 11 April, the expo will provide a platform for learners and young people to explore various career opportunities, facilitating their entry into the job market, especially within the Kouga region.

Kouga’s government serves as a shining example to the ANC of what can be achieved in the fight against poverty in the Eastern Cape, which grapples with the highest unemployment rate in the country. The statistics are shocking: the expanded unemployment rate in the province is nearing 50%, with youth unemployment exceeding 60%, while the province’s economy has only recently emerged from technical recession.

In contrast, Kouga’s growing economy is a testament to its excellent service delivery, which stimulates growth and creates opportunities for local businesses and residents. The municipality exemplifies the successful implementation of DA policies, such as partnering with the private sector to boost investment and addressing service delivery issues in local government to grow the economy.

Where the DA governs it creates jobs. The DA-governed Western Cape boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the country and accounts for 80% of net new jobs created in South Africa.

Since the DA took over government in 2016, Kouga has been on a path to prosperity. We remain committed to improving the lives of our young people by creating opportunities for them to enter the job market and escape poverty.