Youth told to move SA forward

Desmond Boshego

LIMPOPO – POST-Apartheid South Africa continues to experience inequality, injustice, violence and an uncertain future, and against this backdrop, thousands of young people struggle to find themselves and are prejudiced by poor education and unemployment, said the former minister for science and technology, Dr Mosibudi Mangena.

Mangena spoke during the Activating Limpopo Youth Exchange, which was held at the Capricorn District Municipality’s council chamber on Saturday.

“While there are significant youth development initiatives across South Africa, what is missing is a national network to help young people and amplify the influence of emerging young leaders,” said Mangena.

He urged young people to become change drivers of their lives and create job opportunities to better their lives.

“There are many young people who have already engaged themselves in drugs and this is a serious problem indeed. It does seem that drug use in the province is on the rise and this has worrying implications for their future. Young people should be taught on the circumstances of drugs and those who are already addicted should be assisted,” he said.

Koketso Marishane, the provincial director of Activate! Change Drivers, said the Activating Limpopo Youth Exchange aimed to inspire, motivate and educate young people on what was happening around them.

“In this network, we are able to showcase what we have done in the previous gatherings and what we plan to do. The network targets rural areas as we are trying to install a better life to those who fail to get information of what is happening around them,” said Marishane.

Thendo Mapume (22), one of the participants in the Activating Limpopo Youth Exchange, said he was not aware that with reading, he could change the world and be a better person.

“This is indeed motivation for young people. I think we should take this as another way of taking another step towards our a better life and ensure we change the world,” said Mapume.