Youth should tackle challenges

YOUNG people should be placed at the forefront of land reform, as they are the most affected by the high percentage of unemployment. Statistics SA revealed that the burden of unemployment is concentrated among the youth, as they account for 63. 5% of the total number of unemployed persons. This is irrespective of the education level.

As Youth Month comes to a close this week, young people should seek to emulate the 1976 generation who, despite the odds they faced, fought against an unjust system and inspired change.

The current generation should take a leaf from their book and seek ways to defeat the unemployment challenge.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, during his speech at the Youth Day commemorations event, reiterated that it is the shared responsibility of the government, business, labour and civil society to develop pathways for young people into work.

This is a sensible call by the president, as it will take a joint effort from all relevant stakeholders to create an environment that will enable economic participation for the youth, and furthermore, young people should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and carve out new opportunities for themselves through venturing into business.

One such business area they should look at is the agricultural sector. There are great economic opportunities in agriculture that need to be cultivated and turned into profitable business ventures.

Farming and agriculture has now occupied the national agenda with talks around expropriation of land without compensation being discussed.

Young people should be prioritised when land is redistributed, to allow them an opportunity to participate in the lucrative agriculture sector.

They should be given land, equipment and proper training and support to make sure that they succeed.

By so doing, the government would have created an environment that enables the youth to be entrepreneurs who create jobs for themselves and their peers.