THE North West provincial government dismissed as baseless DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa’s criticism of the newly launched youth entrepreneurship services (YES) initiative.

YES is a youth empowerment programme run from the premier’s office.

McGluwa said that the YES initiative was a smokescreen for the rewarding of incompetent cadres and that the DA did not approve the passing of the 2015 North West Youth Entrepreneurship Services (Yes) Bill.

“We believe that the money will be utilised to benefit political connected recipients only. The ANC also blatantly ignored legislation and the constitution during the process,” he said.

He added that it was important to promote and develop entrepreneurs among the youth.

“We cannot agree with the bill that will authorise premier Supra Mahumapelo to use taxpayer’s money to keep his supporters blissful. Mahumapelo ignores the real plight of youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for the first quarter of the year in the province was more than 28%. It has increased to 42% compared to the last quarter of 2015,” he said.

However, provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted the allegations. Setswambung said YES was a government programme meant for all youth in the province and will be implemented for the benefit of young people.

“Mahumapelo pronounced this initiative during the State of the Province Address (SOPA). All SOPA pronouncements will continue to be implemented to ensure that young people’s lives are improved.

“As part of the Youth Month, in June 2015, young people from across all four districts of the province were afforded an opportunity to submit business plans. The process culminated in the YES granting them funding to initiate their businesses,” he said.

Setswambung further added that the provincial government will not be deterred by uninformed criticisms from rolling out the YES programmes. He said the programme will contributes to the provincial efforts of reducing unemployment and dependency in government employment.

“The YES Directorate in the Office of the Premier has entered into partnership agreements with the NWDC, SASSA and SANDF, just to mention a few.

“All these stakeholders will support youth initiatives while the process of establishing the North West YES Fund unfolds. The YES Bill sought to repeal the North West Youth Development Trust Act, 1997 and establish the fund,” he said.

-TDN

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