Discrimination based on age

I WAS very excited when I was made aware by a friend that Transnet Freight Rail in Coega was recruiting "40 general workers". However, I was very shocked and saddened on hearing that "applicants must be below 29 years of age".

My intentions through this letter is to solicit from members and leaders of the ruling party as to what they call adults between the ages of 29 and 35. My question further seeks to establish as to whether this requirement of "below the age of 29" will apply to the imagined six million job or job opportunities that were promised to voters.

I appeal for a mass rejection of this as unfair discrimination and which clearly cannot be justified.

As a young person I understand that young people (youth), according to the South African Bill of Rights, to be individuals between 14 and 35 years of age. The reasoning behind the stipulation that "applicants must be below 29 years of age" is, according to me, irrational.

I view these conditions for employment as unfair and thus request them to be challenged by all young people.

It's a great pity that, during campaigning and electioneering, the ruling party chose to stay mute on the consequences that will come with its assuming power. It is not even a month after the ANC was voted into power by the mostly working class people and already its horns are stubbing that very same body through a hike in e-toll fees, introduction of e-tolls in KwaZulu-Natal, purging of genuine worker leaders and alleged fabrication of charges against opponents of the president such as Thobile Ntola.

It's clear most of what Numsa and other leftist political entities were saying, that the "ANC is hostile to the fundamental interests of the working class", is becoming true by the day. It's as if the government of the day has some responsibility to annoy the poor and appease the wealthy.

I am pleased I did not vote for the ANC, otherwise I would be one of those millions who would be daily haunted by products of their own polls.

Bo Bhubes'elincane, Port Elizabeth