Exempt youth from AA

2003-06-16 18:39

Johannesburg - The Freedom Front (FF) asked on Monday for the youth to be exempted from affirmative action.

FF leader Pieter Mulder said at a Youth Day gathering, held on the West Rand, that South Africa presented many opportunities for young people, many of whom had left the country.

Mulder said one of the reasons for the so-called "brain drain" was that young people found it difficult to get jobs in South Africa.

He asked the government to change Section 9 of the Constitution and to add a date to exempt young people from the confines of affirmative action.

"Many young people who leave the country were born after apartheid's demise," he said.

"They must be allowed to benefit from the opportunities presented in this country."

Mulder also urged communities to become self-reliant and to stop waiting for the government to come to their rescue.

"Communities must develop their own small economies to create jobs and fight poverty.

"The government cannot supply in everybody's needs."

- SAPA