Margaret Mashao: “Poverty has a negative impact on young people. We end up engaging in wrong things like getting involved with older men and doing drugs. Some young people end up stealing so that they can survive. The only thing we can do to fight poverty is gather as the youth and try and create our own companies because we cannot be employed. We must use our different skills.”
On Mandela Day young people attended a job opportunities expo in Ward Seven and this is what they had to say about their experience.
Bongane Ngomane, founder of Ekas’lami Business Networking: “The reason we are organising such expos is because we are fighting poverty. We see that there is a need, young people have lost hope in government. With these expos, we bring financial institutions and government services to assist young people in starting their own businesses. There are many things that can be referred to as excuses for young people, like being in a comfort zone of expecting the government to do things for us. Governme
Asnath Nong: “I would like to encourage young people to attend all career and business expos brought to us in the township. To sit at home or on street corners will not help you. I have gained a lot from the job opportunities expo. There are jobs out there. Guest speakers have made it clear that you won’t get anything if you are not hunting. School is a priority and today we have seen that a lot of people are not working. Youth must not lose hope.”
Matshiso Kotelo: “I attend a lot of expos and their aim is to keep young people off the streets by letting them know about opportunities that are available out there. Even if you are not that qualified, coming to expos might help you find your purpose in life. At this expo, I got inspired by a lady who started working in flights as a pie girl to become a pilot and today she is something. This has taught me that one should have perseverance. Young people should come to these things because they w
Nomvula Khumalo: “The problem is many people are not employed, vacancies become available but jobs are sold and many people end up losing out on those opportunities. Lack of information on available opportunities is another problem. We never know where career expos are happening in the township. Unemployed people eventually turn to crime because they cannot find a job. They want to make a living.”
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