Youth Day! The struggle for freedom is not over

The youth unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 63.30 percent in the first quarter of 2021 from 46.3% percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. This is according to Stats SA, which announced this month that the country’s official unemployment rate is at an all time high at 32.6 percent.

In this week’s open letter to the public, Cyril Ramaphosa admitted that the greatest struggle that today’s youth face in the country is the chronic unemployment crisis which has now worsened due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, as the country gears up to commemorate the victory achieved by the youth of 1976 during the Soweto uprising against the Apartheid regime, perhaps it is also time to explore how young people can today respond to their unique challenges.

The issue of unemployment affecting young people has not changed in many years. And perhaps it requires young people to find a solution within themselves. This view is shared by candidate attorney at international law firm CMS South Africa, Karabo Kanapi:  “With youth unemployment at record levels, young people have a strained relationship with employment. There is an urgent need for a pragmatic solution. And in absence of political will, it is incumbent on the youth of today to chart a course that will shape and improve the situation.

“Youth Day is a reminder that the benefits of freedoms we enjoy today are a culmination of the relentless struggles and battles that the 1976 youth endured and fought for to ensure that we are liberated from the shackles of segregated education - it provides us with a moment of reflection that the battle is not over. Instead, it vests on us to unite, continuously fight the good fight, and ensure that economic freedom is also realised.” adds Karabo.

But how is this economic freedom achievable? According to another young person, Nhlawulo Shikwambane, who is a Programme Coordinator: Very Young Entrepreneurs at the Anzisha Prize: “The country today needs a robust investment in skills and entrepreneurship development in order to capacitate the youth to spur economic growth and generate jobs. Young people should be trained to create jobs. And, they need the government to play a supportive role through policymaking aimed at creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurship.”

It is clear that the struggle is not over. Not at least until youth unemployment is addressed. And it is today more important than ever, that the fight started by the youth of 1976 is taken forward by the youth of today. 

“I stand on the sacrifices of the youth that came before me. Aluta Continua! The struggle continues!”, declares Naledi Mdingi, candidate attorney at CMS South Africa.

Naledi urges young people to be inspired by the 1976 youth and take charge of their future today: “Youth Day should be a reminder for all young people that there is still much work to be done. It should be a reminder that young people have always been at the forefront of our democracy and it should be a reminder of our power as young people to be changemakers in society.”