21st Century challenges necessitate youth empowerment programmes
Youth Month event at the Alexandra Museum aims to uplift young people who are grappling with joblessness in Alexandra.
As the end of Youth Month draws near, Muti-Space Foundation brought young people together at a youth empowerment event, which was intended to address their current challenges.
The event, held at the Alexandra Museum on June 28, not only gave young people a platform to reflect on the history of June 16, but also to better understand the challenges of youth in a democratic South Africa.
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In his opening address, event director Kenny Hlaise engaged with attendees about Youth Month and what it means. This opened a platform for young people to speak about what the youth of 1976 fought for. But more importantly, what the youth of today ought to stand for.
Hlaise acknowledged the role the youth of 1976 played in the achievement of a just society and the significance of commemorating Youth Day. However, he stressed that there is a need to understand the current challenges that young people are grappling with.
“1976 was more of going to the streets and boycotting Afrikaans, but under the new democracy, things have changed. The only thing that we must focus on is empowering youth with skills, especially because of unemployment. The rate of youth unemployment is over 60% [for those aged 15-24].”
The rising unemployment rate is already painting a dire picture for those who are looking for employment. But instead of worrying about their employment prospects, Hlaise said that with the help of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), young people can explore other avenues through which they can generate an income.
He stated that instead of mainly focusing on helping youth to get employed, there is a need to give them programmes that will empower them to start their businesses.
“These are the things that young people must focus on. That is why we are bringing them to townships, so that they can get that information rather than just sitting in the corners doing drugs and drinking alcohol,” Hlaise shared.
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