Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane assured the youth of the province that government is aware of the unemployment crisis they are facing.

Mabuyane revealed that nearly 1.9 million young people in the province have given up looking for work.

He was speaking at the provincial youth day event in Emalahleni.

“Today we are here under very difficult conditions in our province. We are a province in mourning but June 16 was another inspiration for young people. We are here to say we are with you, we have high unemployment, we are trying to cause a dent by creating capabilities in our young people, giving them skills to fulfill their dreams.”

“So I am quite happy with the work that government is doing, giving young people tractors – so that they can work in the land,” explains Mabuyane.