Youth have the grit to thrive post-coronavirus
The youth of today will forever remember the fact that they lived through one of the most catastrophic pandemics in the history of humanity. They will remember the novel coronavirus as a watershed moment in their lives – a time when major transitions happened both in the world around them and within their own personal spaces. Young people are among the most affected by the pandemic's socio-economic impact. Yet, generally speaking, they are also the best positioned to roll with the punches, to innovate and adapt.
As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, let us remember the youth whose bravery and determination during the 1976 Soweto uprising profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in our country.
Young people are change-makers, powered by idealism, passion and courage.
Right now, the majority of South Africa's youth are in a vulnerable place, with life as they know it transformed, the economy in recession and their future uncertain. However, with the right support, we have little doubt that it is this generation that will light the way forward.
Youth Month calls on businesses, educators, government and all other stakeholders to give serious consideration to how they can help position young people for the inevitable time when they must step up and move the country forward.
Given the massive impact the pandemic is having on young people, who have little to cushion them from the blows, it becomes imperative that both the private and public sector put interventions in place to support our youth.
Government has introduced a number of interventions aimed at assisting businesses in general, and youth-owned enterprises in particular. These interventions include the Debt Relief Fund and
the SMME Support Intervention by the Department of Small Business Development.
In addition, the National Youth Development Agency's Youth Micro Enterprise Relief Fund has been established to assist youth enterprises that may not qualify for other funds. This once-off relief fund covers operations and other expenses.
Vulnerable youth may also apply for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for unemployed individuals who do not receive any other form of government assistance in the form of a social grant, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or National
Students Financial Aid Scheme (NFSAS).
Despite most of government's energy being spent on responding to the immediate crisis, we remain forward thinking. In announcing the state's economic response to the pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa said R100 billion will be set aside for the protection of jobs and the creation of new jobs.
In a similar vein, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has partnered with the Youth Employment Service to prepare young people for employment by providing them with technical skills and relevant work opportunities.
With much attention being given to the financial impacts of the pandemic and resultant lockdown, we must not forget that the coronavirus is still in the early stages in South Africa.
While the initial Level 5 lockdown slowed down the spread of the virus and bought government time to strengthen its healthcare response, it does not mean the worst is over.
In fact, it is predicted that South Africa's infection rate will peak around September. The President has said that all the scientific models show that the infection rate will continue to rise at a much faster rate in the next few months.
It is for this reason that the lockdown is being gradually eased and why South Africans need to observe the many regulations still in place, no matter the inconvenience.
Social distancing, the wearing of masks when in public places and proper hygiene are still the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
This Youth Month, it is incumbent upon leadership in the public service to empower young people internally and to make sure that we implement with diligence, integrity and speed the many relief measures government has put in place to guide the nation through this difficult time.
The public service must furthermore take hands with our partners in civil society to secure the success of the rollout of these measures. Government is not an island and we must work with partners who have their own networks, solutions and insights that can enrich the national effort.
Given the demographic profile of our nation, most of what we do to counter COVID-19 should be youth-focused, if we are to protect the productive corps of our economy and if we are to ensure that learners at the primary and secondary level emerge from this crisis as educated, confident, hopeful and innovative young citizens.