DA Youth want answers on KZN Youth Fund

THE DA Youth in KZN has questioned the motives behind the selection of beneficiaries of the KZN Premier’s R71-million Youth Business Fund.

KZN DA Youth Chairperson, Nomfundo Khubone, said her party has learnt through KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, that a mere 2% of young people who had applied for financial support from the KZN Youth Business Fund received assistance.

‘It concerns us that from a staggering 2 246 applications from aspiring youth entrepreneurs submitted to the office of the premier, only 55 beneficiaries received grants.

‘While it is unclear as to how the beneficiaries were identified or what processes were followed, it is concerning that so many young people who had high hopes of getting some assistance from the government to kick-start their small businesses, have seen their hopes shattered.

‘It appears that most of those disregarded were applicants from rural municipal districts. For the record, only two beneficiaries from the Amajuba district, two from Zululand and three from the Harry Gwala district received help, while in the eThekwini Municipality 16 beneficiaries were identified.

‘Earlier this year we marched to the premier’s office, urging him to ensure that the youth fund was not turned into a rewards scheme for ANC Youth League members, and that the process must be fair and transparent and recipient companies must be open for public scrutiny.

‘We have requested the list of beneficiaries to satisfy ourselves that the companies identified are deserving and not necessarily linked to the ANCYL.

‘We will continue to fight for equal and fair opportunities for all young people in KZN,’ she said.

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