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W Cape businesses worry over education system

Cape Town - The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern at the high unemployment rate with members relating the problem to the education system.

Chamber members were responding to the question "What do you believe are the three most critical issues affecting the socio-economic future of South Africa?"

According the survey, more than 39% of businesses in the Western Cape believe that education is one of the three most critical issues affecting the socio-economic future of South Africa.

The survey also revealed concerns surrounding government incompetence, state corruption, President Jacob Zuma, restrictive labour laws and BEE legislation.

Chamber President Janine Myburgh said the survey was conducted before the Constitutional Court Judgment and President Zuma's apology. "The Chamber decided to ignore the last few responses as they could have been affected by the dramatic change in the political climate."

Commenting on education, one respondent said: "Lack of quality education both academic and practical job specific (education) make the unemployed youth virtually unemployable."

Another respondent said: "Restrictive labour and BEE legislation making it difficult to employ and nurture young, unskilled and inexperienced employees."

There were also a number of scathing comments about government such as the lack of leadership in government and the inability of government officials to implement signed-off and financed plans of action.

Another respondent said there was a need for stable government. "This government does not know what it is doing. The Western Cape is the only stable province."

There were also constructive comments such as the need to "unite South Africa as one nation as we still refer to each other as black and white and together build a better South Africa."

Another positive suggestion was the need to "accept that it is more important to teach skills (apprenticeships for trades) than go to university for an academic qualification. Industry and colleges can make the difference as in Germany where 70 percent of children never go to university but rather learn a trade."

Myburgh said there was also great concern about rising food prices and that this combined with unemployment could lead to more crime and unrest.

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