Education key to radical economic transformation: Mkhize
African National Congress (ANC) treasurer Zweli Mkhize says education remains key to the realization of young people's call for radical economic transformation.
Mkhize was speaking on the eve of Youth Day and the commemoration of the Soweto uprising of 1976.
He says allegations that the ANC has failed the youth is simply untrue.
"I think we need to accept that there has been lots of challenges, but we must (also) accept that a lot has been done of the years... for example the number of students at basic education level who are able to get to schools without having to pay...There is a lot of support that has been given."
The issue of free tertiary education has consistently been raised by young people as key to solving unemployment and poverty, and Mkhize admits that more needs to be done.
"They have raised the issue of free education in general, and the ANC has that as its policy. What has been a challenge has been the level of implementation, because it has not been possible to do it all at the same time. And I think with the commission (looking into the feasibility of free higher education) that is coming we should get further solutions to solving this particular problem."
Mkhize says the empowerment of the youth needs to take place in the country's classrooms.
"What is going to be most important is for our youth to be educated. So it is indeed a good policy to ensure that as many of our children, especially in disadvantaged communities, do have access to quality education. And we have to work hard to make sure that is improved.'