Opportunities can create confidence in our youth
In just a few months South Africa will recall the fateful night 40 years ago that one of the country's greatest youth activists was taken from us. Steve Biko, who at 31 died from injuries inflicted by police on 12 September 1977 – a year after the Soweto uprising – will forever be remembered for his ideas on black consciousness.
These ideas remain as relevant today as they were back then. They underline the importance of nurturing self-worth – which the youth should be encouraged to develop if they are to help forge a positive future for this country.
In some ways however, the youth have cause to be despondent. Of those aged between 15 and 34, 37.1 per cent were unemployed in the fourth quarter of last year, 10.6 per cent above the national average, according to Statistics SA.
Only about half of learners that enter school sit the matric exam. This is compounded by the high dropout rate at technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and universities.The “no fees” protests at universities have further complicated these challenges.
To address this, National Treasury allocated R5-billion more to universities in the budget this year, adding to the extra R32-billion made available last year. These allocations will also help grow student funding. Since 2012 more than two million university and college students have been funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
The Department of Higher Education and Training is also building more TVET colleges, with 12 currently under construction.The department is also seeking to improve governance at colleges.
In addition, the department is steadily increasing the number of artisans the country produces, with the aim of reaching 30 000 per year by 2030 – and it is expected to have created about 21 000 artisans in the last financial year.
In April new procurement rules came into place that compel supply-chain officials in departments, municipalities and state entities to set targets to promote the participation of youth in state tenders.
The Industrial Development Corporation and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency have also set aside R2.7-billion to finance youth-owned companies.The Small Enterprise Development Agency has also rolled out 10 centres of entrepreneurship and four rapid incubators at TVET colleges to help youth to start their own businesses.
In creating work opportunities, the Expanded Public Works Programme has increased the intake of young people, with over half of the two million work opportunities created since 2014 by the programme being taken by youth.
The employment tax incentive, where employers who hire youth relevant to their sector between the ages of 18 and 29 are paid a subsidy, has been claimed for over 800 000 jobs in 2014 and 2015.
Added to this, the private sector, through the CEO Initiative, is working to provide internships for unemployed youth across companies.
The youth are full of new ideas. But they need opportunities to help realise many of these. Such opportunities can help create a confident youth, able to forge the kind of consciousness we need to take the country forward. Biko would then be proud.