Invisibility of SA’s youth
They deserve to be heard, they should be recognised and they have much to offer. Why are young people so alienated?
THE annual focus on youth during the month of June and, more specifically, June 16, gives rise to questions around the issues facing them, and the role and participation of the young in society.
The obvious issues facing young people in South African society are education, unemployment and poverty. These are immediate responses received to questions asked of young people regarding their biggest challenges.
Access to education increases the possibilities of employment and a reduction of poverty – although there is no guarantee that this will be the case.
There are large numbers of young people who have not had the opportunities to enter into education, nor have they had the chances to develop skills in the trades and, therefore, face a bleaker future in terms of employment opportunities.
One wonders how differently the various Skills Education Training Authorities (Setas) could function in this space if they were freed from being tied to the formal employment sector, where a young person needs to be in formal employment to benefit from their funding – but needs Seta funding to stand a chance for formal employment.
There is another universal issue facing young people which may, if addressed, assist in unlocking possibilities in the areas raised above.
This is the sense that prevails among young people that no one is listening to them, taking their views seriously, or acknowledging that they may have a contribution to make to finding solutions to society’s ills. This results in frustration and, ultimately, in some kind of outburst, sometimes violent. Where is the space provided for the voice of the youth to be heard, for their contribution to be acknowledged, for them to be taken seriously?
If that was provided, and the young taken seriously and their views considered, this may go a long way to reducing the levels of frustration and increasing the sense of belonging, thus the willingness to participate in societal issues.
One way of providing the space, and increasing the opportunities for youth participation, is a YMCA programme called local action groups, or LAGs. The concept is simple: six young people are gathered from a particular local community and tasked with conducting a survey of that area to determine the most pressing social needs. After which they then develop a programme of action to ensure that those needs are met.
The programme of action must be in place within six months of the commencement of the survey.
This programme has provided some helpful solutions to a variety of communities across greater Durban, including speed humps; a clean-up campaign; a bridge across a stream; a library in a container; food gardens using permaculture; and street lighting.
These young people feel that they belong in their communities as their efforts are acknowledged by the residents because they have made a tangible difference. They are validated, they have been heard, and the community at large has benefited, not just them, and not just for today.
This approach brings young people into the decision-making processes in their communities, it brings acclaim to them for their efforts, it provides a sense of well-being to them and, most importantly, turns them from subjects into citizens.
This is one way to ensure that young people are heard, their views taken seriously, and that they can make a meaningful contribution to finding solutions to the ills of society.
Booth is the general secretary and chief executive of the greater Durban YMCA.