Unemployment & Jobs

• One million work, training and enterprise opportunities through EPWP and CWP p. 29
• Pay every compliant supplier within 30 days p. 29
• Publish clear turnaround times for planning approvals, building plans and licences p. 27
• Trading spaces and hubs for small businesses, informal traders and gig workers p. 28

• Review and cut red tape, fees and approval delays p. 45
• Automatic approval of permits if the council misses its deadline ("silence is consent") p. 45
• Simple online trading permits and more trading spaces for informal traders p. 45
• Replace race-based BEE with empowerment based on poverty (a national DA proposal) p. 45

MK has not published a 2026 local manifesto on its website. These promises come from its 2024 national manifesto, so most are national, not plans for your council.

• A state job for everyone willing to work, above a R4 500 minimum wage p. 15
• Lending targets for small businesses owned by black people, women and young people p. 12
• Nationalise the Reserve Bank, large banks and strategic mines p. 3

• Bring security, cleaning, waste collection and maintenance in-house to create permanent jobs p. 27
• At least 40% of municipal jobs for young people aged 18 to 35 p. 60
• At least 80% of municipal buying from local small businesses and co-ops in manufacturing p. 27
• Free driver's licence training and one test for unemployed young people p. 60

• Simpler business permits and registration, online and in person p. 7
• Funding and market access for small, locally owned businesses p. 7
• Market stalls and set business zones for local vendors p. 7
• Equipment, inputs and advice for small-scale farmers p. 7

The PA has not published a 2026 local manifesto. These promises come from its 2024 national election plan, so many are national, not plans for your council.

• Conscription, so every school leaver has work p. 18
• Take 1% of sales from profitable companies to fund a lending bank for poor entrepreneurs p. 18
• No minimum wage for businesses in their first year p. 18
• Set aside some government buying only for small businesses p. 16

• Councils should help private businesses create jobs, not create jobs themselves p. 24
• Scrap needless red tape on rezoning and trading permits p. 24
• Base empowerment on poverty and need, not race p. 23
• Scrap small fees like trade permits to help struggling businesses p. 15

• Cut red tape and publish turnaround times for planning and building approvals p. 48
• Make it easier for local small businesses to win municipal work p. 49
• Paid internships and apprenticeships for young people p. 32
• Rebuild CBDs and town centres and reclaim hijacked buildings p. 51