Youth connect to fight unemployment

The Soweto Independent Youth In Creative Arts (SIYICA) held its inaugural networking session at Streat and Chill in Orlando West, aiming to address youth unemployment, on July 11.

The SIYACA aims to foster dialogue among creatives, corporate entrepreneurs and the government to address unemployment.

The youth invited to the session shared their concerns, ideas and aspirations, providing potential solutions for unemployment.

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Siphiwe Zwane, the founder and CEO of the SIYICA, said creatives have solutions, but the challenge is that they are not correctly aligned.

“Creatives have solutions, but we are not correctly aligned. If we can unite as one voice, we will find solutions to the growing unemployment challenge.

“We are misplaced, and that’s why we find ourselves struggling. If we had one voice as the creative and arts sector, we would find solutions to the ever-growing unemployment rate.”

Clr Lefa Molise of Ward 39 in Orlando West said, “This initiative is looking at creating job opportunities and empowering the youth. My main concern when it comes to youth is compliance.

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“I would appreciate it if they adhered to compliance and ensured everything they did was legal. I’m also requesting consistency in continuing what has been started instead of always starting afresh.”

He added that they are looking for G20 Summit opportunities and exploring ways to ensure those opportunities don’t leave them behind.

Attendee Ofentse Doporo advocated for independence and encouraged peers to resist negative peer pressures, reminding them they could forge their own paths and pursue their passions instead of following the crowd.

By connecting young creatives with leaders in business and government, the SIYICA aims to unlock fresh ideas and creative thinking, foster partnerships, and create tangible opportunities to address youth unemployment.