NDS1, a high-sounding damp squib
THE government has a reputation of producing documents — policies that in most cases are too elitist in nature, have little involvement of the affected citizens and other key stakeholders like youth organisations and civil society organisations. Their lack of inclusivity is one of the reasons they fail.
There is simply no buy-in, there is a “theirs” feeling among citizens. Policies come as imposed documents that leave a lot to be desired. As a youth who is patriotic and loves his country, I was so disappointed to read the youth situational analysis from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), specifically page 184 clause 135, in which the government claims that most youths have not embraced the culture of hard work and the principle that hard and honest work pays.
It is false and this clause must be retracted if the youths are to embrace it.
If one reads clause 730 which says youth are a valuable resource, especially if they are allowed to build and strengthen qualities that enable them to grow and flourish into responsible citizens, it becomes clear that they are not given opportunities, allowed to build and strengthen qualities, not provided with funding, farms and entrepreneurship to develop themselves. It is an insult for government to accuse them of being lazy and dishonesty.
Many degreed youths spend the day selling airtime and chatting on WhatsApp because they are not considered in nation building processes.
My question to Finance minister Mthuli Ncube is: Who told you that the youths have no culture of hard work? Honourable minister and other respected officials, you should not lie to the nation about the youths.
Please may you retract that statement or rephrase it because we as youths have suffered because of your inconsistent policies.
Can you call for a youth convention at National Sports Stadium and interface with the youth to hear their narrative. Please take your time with them, you will appreciate what are going through. The wording on clause 135 is disrespectful to the plight of youths. Retract and or rephrase it.
The youth love their country and are hard workers, unfortunately they have been left in the cold.