The new entrants in the Bhisho legislature, the PA and MK want to see the provincial government prioritise projects which generate job opportunities for the youth.
PA legislature leader Tiphany Harmse and MK legislature leader Sive Feni were among the 72 people from political parties sworn in as MPLs on Friday.
The parties have two seats each in the legislature.
The PA has joined forces with the ANC, DA and IFP to form a government of national unity which will probably see the parties vote together to make policy decisions among other legislative decisions at the National Assembly.
Harmse said the Eastern Cape had many challenges that required urgent attention, but one of the most important was job creation.
“There are many changes we want to see,” she said.
“We are a poverty-stricken province, so obviously we are looking at job creation to eradicate the escalating youth unemployment and crime, especially gangsterism.”
“For too long our people have been left behind, and this time around we will ensure accountability in all aspects to do away with corruption and the like.”
Harmse said while the PA was not a party for coloured people only, it advocated for the racial group’s agenda because it had been neglected since the dawn of democracy.
“We consider ourselves a colourful party that aims to unite all races.”
She said the party could not shy away from also pushing the coloured agenda because no-one had done that.
“We are here to inspire ordinary coloured people because, with us here, it means they have someone they identify with who will hear the issues they face.”
The PA supported the ANC in the nominations for the positions of premier, speaker and deputy speaker.
Feni, who left the ANC to join MK soon after Jacob Zuma was announced as leader, said one of the most important issues that troubled the province was unemployment and drug abuse.
“I decided to leave [the ANC] soon after Zuma became part of the MK party because I resonate with the party's manifesto which seeks to get the nation back to morality, bringing back respect and humanity and giving black people their land back.
“As the MKP in the province, we want to be part of a programme that will ensure employment for young people and seek to fight against drug abuse.”
HeraldLIVE