A march was organised by “Step Into A New Era” to raise awareness about unemployment. “Step Into A New Era” is a forum that was established to raise awareness about graduate unemployment.
The protesters marched to Rosslyn firms showing grievances that firms in that area are no longer advertising job opportunities, and training programs on their social media platforms.
As a result, student employment growth has been negatively affected and job market imbalance among graduates is exacerbated.
Marchers gathered at Ernest Oppenheimer Street next to Total Garage Rosslyn Industrial, where their first stop was at Nissan SA Plant then Feeltex Auto Trim, BMW Plant, and end at the South African Breweries. Their memorandum was handed over to Human Resources Managers.
SAB and Feeltex asked marchers to return next week to hand in their memorandum because they were not aware that they were coming and that there are grievances about their company.
“We will come back even though they are lying because we alerted all the firms that we are coming,” said Goitsimang Apahane, the Forum Spokesperson.
Aphane further told the Tshwane Bulletin Newspaper that they wish their demands could be considered. They do not march to Rosslyn-based companies only. All South African companies should provide jobs and give training programs.
“We they also demanding real jobs not internships because it is unlikely that they will be given permanent employment opportunities after training. Most of the companies marched to respond positively to memorandums except Feeltex Auto Trim and the South African Breweries”,concluded Aphane.
