The greatest challenge our infant democracy faces today is our massive unemployment crisis. Currently, 8.9 million people do not have jobs, or have given up looking for jobs, in South Africa.

Since the beginning of this year, a staggering 355 000 more South Africans have joined the ranks of the unemployed. The ANC appears to have no plan to create jobs and move South Africa forward again.

In order to dismantle the legacy of Apartheid, we must create an environment in which young South Africans are able to find decent work, and begin to build a bright future for themselves and their families. That is the only way we will create a more just, equal and prosperous South Africa for all who call it home.

Yet with 36.3% of the country unable to find work, the ANC government finds it appropriate to buy President Zuma a new luxury presidential jet – estimated to cost the taxpayer R4 billion. This despite the fact that the President’s current jet remains, in terms of aircraft standards, relatively new and fit for purpose.

We unanimously reject this sheer waste of public funds in order to pay for the President’s “Nkandla Air” vanity project.

We therefore petition President Zuma, as the Head of State, to reverse the decision to procure a new Presidential Jet for his official travel. Given our current economic climate and our country’s record high unemployment crisis, South Africa cannot afford to spend R4 billion on a luxury jet for the President which he simply does not need.

President Zuma ought to put the country’s needs ahead of his own wants, and reject this frivolous and disproportionate spending while our people continue to suffer and to live without hope.

South Africans want jobs, not jets, President Zuma