Hope of a better future is in your hands
Youth, do all you can to make the most of your lives, writes
DUCATION is the greatest engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a miner can be the head of the mine, that a child of a farmworker can become the president of a great nation.
“It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
Those were the words of our Struggle hero, Tata Nelson Mandela, the icon who would have turned 100 years old this year.
As we commemorate the young people who bravely fought for equal education, I had a recollection of Tata Madiba’s words. They spoke to my heart and have resonance even today.
It is through education that we will win the battle against youth unemployment and poverty, and be able to move towards economic freedom.
It was through education that I got the opportunities I had when I was young. Today, young people should be given opportunities to pursue tertiary education for the betterment of their lives and the lives of their families, especially those who come from poverty-stricken rural areas.
I encourage the youth to make the most of opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and maths fields (Stem). They will open the world for young people to explore even greater horizons and better paying jobs in order to alleviate poverty. My plea is more so to girls to excel at the subjects in school.
They are challenging fields. Which is a beautiful thing, because if it challenges you, it means the opportunities are bigger and better.
As a professional doctor, I see the medical profession and similar professions are dominated by men. The engineers in our country are mostly men. I am specifically making a plea to the girl-child to take it upon herself to change the imbalances. Take maths and science at school, do your best to pass with flying colours. Ensure that South Africa, Africa and the world at large will come running to our universities looking for female graduates in the Stem fields.
While we are on the issue affecting girls; as young people (both male and female) it is time you all say “#CountMeIn” among those who are willing to fight for a non-violent world for women.
The gruesome ways in which women and children are being killed lies mainly in the hands of male perpetrators. Our husbands, boyfriends, fathers and sons need to take a firm stand to protect and love us. This is why the #CountMeIn pledge is not only for females, it includes the men in our lives too.
Statistics SA, in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council, revealed astonishing numbers in one of its surveys that measured violence against women. A total of 21% of women over the age of 18 reported that they had experienced violence at the hands of a partner. That is one in every five women in our society suffering at the hands of someone they trust.
Our president, the honourable Cyril Ramaphosa quoted the late Hugh Masekela in his first presidential address: “Thuma mina (send me).” It is up to every young person to say “thuma mina” to the various spaces, be it corporate, social, political or educational.
You are the future; take it upon yourself to create a non-violent South Africa. There shouldn’t be space for genderbased violence and femicide in our democracy. The youth of 1976 fought their imminent struggle, which was education. As a generation, you are seemingly faced with more than one struggle.
Play your role if fighting for justice in your homes, schools, universities or workplaces.
Furthermore, promote healthy living among yourselves. It is sad to see we have an overwhelming number of young people dying from diseases due to unsafe sex.
I urge young men to go check for prostate cancer. To you young women, take good care of your health too. Learn more about your bodies, chronic diseases and how you can live a fuller and healthier life. Pick up the symptoms as early as you can. Get checked for breast cancer and diabetes – early detection can save your lives.
The Motsepe Family Foundation launched The Little Black Book last year through its women’s unit. If you can, get a copy for yourself. The Little Black Book is a one-stop shop for all emergencies, it is resourceful, helpful and empowering.
Twenty-four years into our democracy, we have come far. We have seen more young people, especially from villages, make education fashionable.
We have a long way to go, and we trust you will be the generation that ensures that women are remunerated equally to their male counterparts in the government and the private sectors.
The hope of the future is in your hands.
The Motsepe Family Foundation will strive to empower the young people of our country.
As Madiba said: “To the youth of today, I also have a wish to make: be the scriptwriters of your destiny and feature yourselves as stars that showed the way towards a bright future.”
You are the future, be educated, travel the world and make a difference in the lives of others. Most importantly, be yourself. You are at your best when you are yourself. Be yourself at all times, young South Africans.
Happy Youth Month to you, young lions and lionesses of the soil. Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe is deputy chairperson and chief executive of the Motsepe Foundation.