Letsoha-Mathae unveils R1.1 billion youth jobs plan, vows to fix municipal governance

By Thapelo Molefe

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has unveiled a R1.1 billion plan to tackle youth unemployment, describing it as a defining pillar of the provincial government’s “renewal” agenda.

Delivering Budget Vote 1 in the Fourth Raadsaal in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, Letsoha-Mathae also confronted the dire state of governance in Free State municipalities, citing damning Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) findings and pledging sweeping reforms.

“The province remains committed to tackling youth unemployment through strategic partnerships with various SETAs,” Letsoha-Mathae said, announcing a support plan for 7,800 unemployed youth this year, up from 6,087 previously.

“In the past year, we exceeded our target by providing skills development to 6,087 unemployed youth, investing R396 million in their futures. This year, we will support 7,800 young people at an estimated cost of R1.1 billion.”

This initiative, the largest single allocation to youth skills development in the province’s history, will be executed