Youth summit held to address unemployment

Hundreds of young people in Ivory Park, Tembisa and the surrounding areas, flocked to Ivory Park Stadium during the unemployed youth summit.

The event, which took place on Thursday, was organised by the Life for You Foundation project.

Mr Simon Molekwa, from the Life for You Foundation, said young people have the ability to be the solution to youth unemployment and not just the victim.

“The problem of young people shutting themselves in their homes has became widespread in the community because they feel hopeless. There are so many organisations in the township that welcome volunteers,” he said.

Mr Molekwa said volunteer work could open many doors for the youth because they get registered and become informed of what’s happening around them.

“How can one access information while shuttered at home? Young people need to go out there and seek the information that will help them start their own businesses or get employment,” he said.

He said they are encouraging young people to consider starting their own small businesses and cooperatives to evade the high rate of unemployment.

The organisation’s chairperson, Ms Mpho Mofokeng, said they have planned to meet with the youth every Thursday in a support group to address these type of issues.

“We will invite various stakeholders to help youngsters with information about starting their own businesses and how to find employment. We urge graduates to consider learnerships and internships as the key to permanent employment,” she said.

The Life for You Foundation urged youngsters to not give up their dreams and to search for information with the relevant stakeholders.

The City of Johannesburg’s project Jozi Vulindlela, Love Life and Harambee also took part in the event.

Jozi Vulindlela and Harambee registered some of the young people who were looking for business opportunities or employment.

For more information about the Life for You Foundation, contact Mr Simon Molekwa on 011 920-1979 or 084 871 0186.