Sea Cadets Get Firm Send-off From E Cape Premier
Laziness is to blame for many of South Africa’s economic woes, according to Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle who has advised the country’s newest maritime trainees to help restore the national work ethic.
Masuallem, addressing graduates of the national Maritime Youth Development Programme, led by the South African Maritime Safety Authority, said South Africans risked losing command of their own economy if they continued relying on government handouts. He implored graduates to adopt a more proactive and productive attitude. “We need to wake up from the slumber, as otherwise, foreigners with the right attitude for work and productivity, will take over everything including control of our economy,” Masualle warned.
The graduates are part of a bigger group of 170 youth who received skills training under the SAMSA programme, with the Eastern Cape leg sponsored by the Office of the Eastern Cape Premier. It is the third group to qualify and graduates will now work in the maritime sector, mostly aboard MSC cruise ships around the world.
Masualle used the send-off to air his frustrations about economic apathy. He said leaders needed to help bring about a paradigm change to help people empower themselves: “Our people cannot even fix cracks that show in the houses they receive for free from Government. When glass panes break, they turn to Government and blame it for building them houses with breaking windows.”
“In this venue, where are holding this event, we are closest to the sea, and I occasionally watch cargo vessels passing by. But we are only visitors to the sea. We have not the faintest idea what is going on in the oceans economic sector.
“Truth be told, we are a lazy people,” Masualle said.