Patriotic youth navigate their way through SA’s democracy
Kerushun Pillay
IT IS clear to see that youth in South Africa today are frustrated.
Various protests organised by youth – exemplified by the FeesMustFall protests in recent years – show that today’s youth feel as if the promise of 1994 has not materialised.
A lack of jobs and education opportunities for youngsters, I believe, is the main concern, because that obviously has an effect on everyday life. However, today’s youth also appear to be mobilising against other political problems like gender violence, shown in the sadly short-lived RU Reference List protest in 2015.
But it also shows today’s youngsters aren’t willing to be passive, and rather use their anger as an energy to try to bring about change. This makes the so-called born-frees surely the most active generation politically since pre-94.
MaryAnne Isaac
When I ponder on how far South Africa has come from the bondage of an inhumane justice system to the instilled fear of young people like me who had dreams but saw no future, I shiver slightly.
Not because of apartheid, but because of the remarkable human beings who sacrificed all for the many opportunities that I can now access.
I say the above without fear and notwithstanding every ill and weak mind that plans to manipulate and persecute my beloved country.
As a youth, I face certain challenges due to the increase in corruption and greed, and sometimes I just want to give up and call it a day.
However, when I think about the opportunities and dreams my father and mother had but never could achieve, I dust myself off and get back up.
Making a difference in my home and my community means making a difference in my country and for our future generations.
It is difficult finding a job where you are constantly judged on your skin colour and it is frustrating being pushed aside for opportunities just because you are not underprivileged enough.
Regardless, I still have hope that this too shall pass and we will have complete self-identity through our leaders.
Given Majola
Whether a young person finds themselves in a village, city or a major metro in South Africa, in 2017 they find themselves in a potential site to advance their lives with the available opportunities.
But beginning your quest and looking for help is what is needed instead of sitting and waiting for an opportunity to knock on your door.
Waiting has many downsides such as discovering very late that you have been waiting in the wrong place.
It is possible for a young person to achieve a university diploma or degree, break into some great company or team at its highest level regardless of their race or origin.
Opportunities have proved to exist for young people who have made the effort and kept their focus.
But the challenges facing the youth are clearly visible.
Sacha van Niekerk
Twenty three years into our democracy, deep structures of inequality have proved to be resilient. There’s the mentality that our future is defined solely by our own choices, and if we don’t like where we end up, we only have ourselves to blame.
The reality is, opportunities for some are not opportunities for all.
We’re a country rich in colour and culture, yet we opt for a “colour-blind” and “gender neutral” approach to solve our problems. South African youth are grasping the concept of taking differences into account and changing the culture of apathy.
Today, our youth are stronger, bolder and more defiant than ever. We’re a generation that’s learning what it means to stand up and open our eyes to the incongruencies of the past that have prowled their way into our present.
I see unity, and because of that, I also see hope.
– Independent Media interns share their views