Unemployment a huge burden for the youth

On Sunday, June 16, the country will commemorate this historic date through a number of planned activities.

The spotlight will, however, be on the government of the day, as it is expected to hold its celebration, with those in powers addressing millions of South African young people.

Just days before the biggest celebration, Tembisan took to the streets to get the views and challenges faced by today’s young people. Lack of employment opportunities has been ranked top of the list of challenges.

A young graduate, Gracious Shongwe of Ebony Park, said she has been looking for employment since 2015 and hasn’t been able to secure one.

“I graduated in 2015 with a degree in Communications Science and I have been looking for a job ever since, but with no luck. What is even more frustrating is that we see other people with less skills and qualifications being deployed to key positions in government, just because they are politically connected.

“This is our greatest challenge. If government can address this, there won’t be any need for us young people queuing for RDP houses and other hand-outs. We only want equal job opportunities, especially for graduates.”

According to Stats SA, the unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 27.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2019 from 27, one per cent in the previous period.

It is the highest jobless rate since 2017, as the number of unemployed went up by 62 000 to 6.2 million.

Young people account for 63.4 per cent of the total number of unemployed persons.

“The biggest and only challenge we are faced with as young people, is unemployment. Government is always talking about job creation but we are not seeing these opportunities. The other challenge is that we are also not afforded equal business opportunities. The government tender system is totally flawed, as tenders are reserved for the connected few,” said Bongani Dlamini.

“I think the government of the day is trying to meet us halfway, but I still believe there’s a lot that still needs to be done.

In a township as big as Tembisa, where a huge volume of young people are unemployed, I think we need more recreational centres so that they don’t end up victims of drugs and alcohol.

“Since unemployment is on a high, my call to government would be to keep young people busy with other activities such as sport and theatre,” said Phumlani Phakade.

The Faith-Based Organisation’s chairperson, Bishop Michael Mtshali, said young people are faced with huge challenges that can be unlocked through education and creativity.

“Young people must focus their energies on getting education first and come back to start their own businesses. They must use their own individual creativity and shun away from always looking at government for employment. They must start creating employment for other young people.

“There are centres in Tembisa that have been set up to cater for young people. They must go there and see where they fit in,” he advised.