He applauded initiatives such as the National Skills Fund, Disabilities Programme and the Social Employment Fund.

Mashatile says so far, the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative has contributed massively to decreasing the youth unemployment rate.

“The lack of economic and employment opportunities has a direct correlation to poverty, and it exacerbates inequality. Government is working to create more opportunities for all citizens through various policy and legislative frameworks.
 

Programmes such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) are providing work experience to over 1.5 million young people.”

Mashatile was delivering the keynote address during the commemoration of the Langa Massacre, which was held at Kariega in the Eastern Cape, on Friday.

The Nelson Mandela Municipality set aside R5 million to host the event.

--SABC--