NCOP Youth Day Debate – SA Youth are central to meeting the goals of the NDP

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held a debate to mark Youth Day on the theme: Youth Development Through Access to Higher Education and Expanded Access to Skills Development, writes Abel Mputing. Speakers affirmed the centrality of South African y

In his opening address, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mr Buti Manamela, reminded that this year’s celebration marks 25 years since the adoption of a democratic Constitution and 45 years after the outbreak of the June16 Soweto Uprising. The government’s primary goal, he said, is to ensure that the youth acquires education and training to obtain the skills necessary to meet the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP).

“We have a resolve to skill the black youth by ensuring there is an increased uptake of black youth in higher education to expand and address skills shortages that are needed and their active participation in the labour market. This is linked to the department’s increase of funding for black students from poor backgrounds. Well over R25 billion has been set aside to support students in universities for textbooks and living expenses.”

To prepare the youth for the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the department has heightened its investment in technology to avert the digital divide brought about by the advent of Covid-19 and to encourage the youth to acquire critical digital skills to curb skills shortages in this constantly expanding sector.

However, during the debate, many participants noted that the weak economy would struggle to carry the aspirations of the South African youth. Ms Karabo Khahau of the Free State Provincial Legislature said:

“Many South African youth is born in poverty and find it difficult to have access to tertiary education. And if they do and are qualified, they can’t find decent jobs because this economy can’t carry their hopes.”

She advised the government to encourage the youth to take artisan careers to gain the necessary skills to “compete, to enter and stay in the labour market. And to contribute in building our country’s economy”.

One of the young delegates to the NCOP, Mr Itumeleng Ntsube, called for the broadening of black economic empowerment requirements to include the youth and women. This will integrate them into the mainstream economy and bring about inclusive growth.

Another NCOP delegate, Ms Brenda Mathevula, said today’s youth are still subjected to the same hardships as 45 years ago. “They are still getting shot and arrested by government when they call for equal and free education.” Like before, she said it’s still the black youth in underprivileged communities in rural areas that are compelled to study under the trees, in mud schools, with no textbooks and to be subjected to unqualified teachers. Under these conditions, the black youth will continue to have no full participation in the economy because they will remain unemployed, unemployable and uneducated.

NCOP Delegate, Mr Stephenus du Toit, said despite all the huge investment in education, billions of rands go to waste due to mismanagement in the sector. This has affected the youth’s skills development programmes and led to the loss of job opportunities. However, he urged young people not to give up hope.

A Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Mr Beki Lubes, advocated for the youth to be employed in the agricultural sector. This will ensure food security and make them aware of the value chain of this sector, the career paths and entrepreneurial opportunities it can afford them, and this will reduce the rate youth unemployment.

Mr Mbulelo Bara called on the private sector to invest