Education, opportunity top agenda
It is often said that the interests of today’s youth vastly differ from those of past generations. Reporter Les-leigh Alaart spoke to young people in Nelson Mandela Bay to find out what they think of Youth Day and life in South Africa
What does Youth Day mean to you?
F-Jay Scholtz, 20:
“The youth rose up against the Boer during the apartheid era.” Charne Jatha, 17:
“Many other students and I today have the opportunity to be taught in our home language and to attend the school of our choice. Youth Day is a symbol of bravery.” Simamnkele Xayimpi, 22:
“June 16 is the day youth fought against the apartheid regime, resulting in bloodshed and chaos. The youth should celebrate because we should acknowledge that it’s up to us to make the country go forward. We are the future.” Chad Witbooi, 19:
“Isn’t it a day where you commemorate the youth as being the next generation?” Waseela Adam, 22:
“Basically it gives youth a platform to speak about what kind of change they want to make in society.” Olivia Erasmus, 14:
“Youth Day means freedom.”
How do you feel being a part of the youth of South Africa?
F-Jay Scholtz:
“I feel discriminated against, because of the BEE system. It’s hard for one to progress when you start from the back.” Charne Jatha:
“I feel privileged to be part of the youth, as I have many op- portunities today that my parents could only dream of.” Simamnkele Xayimpi:
“Youth in SA are allowed a lot of opportunities. I’m at PE College because of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. With this I can go far in life because my tuition is paid.” Chad Witbooi :
“It’s challenging, but it is also what you make of it. You’re still discovering yourself. Especially living in a third-world country, but I won’t let that determine how I live each day.” Waseela Adam:
“Under-represented. A lot of youth leaders are politically orientated, so putting blinkers on their agenda. There should be other areas where the youth can be mobilised. To create a better identity for youth, they need to speak with one voice to make an impact.” Olivia Erasmus:
“In a way, I feel pressured because all the elders say that we are going to change South Africa and make it a better place.”
What do you think are the positive aspects of South Africa?
F-Jay Scholtz:
“The fact that the DA has a new leader. Also, there’s now more space for us to grow and expand, because there is no longer any monuments taking up space.” Charne Jatha:
“Our rainbow nation is based on a constitutional democracy. We are known for our significant tourist attractions and one of the world’s greatest icons, Nelson Mandela, was a South African.” Simamnkele Xayimpi:
“South Africa is a free country, full of different races.” Chad Witbooi:
“There is a lot of unity – we’re just not looking in the right places. Music is enjoyed
by different races.” Waseela Adam:
“The people are friendly as opposed to other countries. Race is used as a blame card but in the United Arab Emirates, where I’m from originally, race is more of an issue.” Olivia Erasmus
“We have beautiful wildlife and a variety of cultures, which make us the rainbow nation.”
What do you think are the negative aspects of South Africa?
F-Jay Scholtz:
“Power outages, the government, and corruption.” Charne Jatha:
“The high unemployment rate – among the youth especially. High levels of corruption in various sectors of our society. Extremely poor service delivery in government and some business sectors.” Simamnkele Xayimpi:
“Could be a first-world if people let the past be the past. We all should try to look at SA in a positive light and try to find ways to improve it. We should look to the future.” Chad Witbooi:
“People are so eager to raise awareness of only the negative situations.” Waseela Adam:
“South Africans need to be more globally aware, to form their own identity. We are represented globally through our youth, and youth expression is the main place where SA can be criticised because there’s a lack of active will among the youth.” Olivia Erasmus:
“There is a lot of crime, rape, violence and racism; our country is corrupted by greed.”
If you were president, how would you improve the country?
F-Jay Scholtz:
“I would try to educate the whole country – good education will make us prosper.” Charne Jatha:
“Job creation – especially for the youth. Deal with corruption. Improve service delivery by implementation and monitoring of service delivery charters, as well as rewarding the progress of various sectors – to encourage them to continue to deliver quality services.” Simamnkele Xayimpi:
“Education, because it is fundamental. Everyone needs it. Once you have it, it can’t be taken away. Also, service delivery, we need clean water and electricity in all areas.” Chad Witbooi:
“Improve education. Perhaps implement the Cambridge system. It gives students a broader feel of what they plan on becoming.” Waseela Adam:
“A lot of people point out education, and that is definitely a factor, but I think greater awareness of identity is more important – so we as youth can carve our own paths and not be restricted to the boundaries of a curriculum, we need to be curious again and not think that everyone else has the answer. The future is not set in stone.” Olivia Erasmus:
“I would try to stop crime and try to help those people who are criminals. I would also help give housing to people who need it and just give everything that has been promised to the people.”