There is no better time to be a young South African than today. Our country abounds with opportunity and the promise of a brighter future beckons as we move South Africa forward.
We have successfully entered the second phase of our democratic transition and are firmly on course to Vision 2030 as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP).
The NDP defines the type of society we want to build and has identified young people as central to the task. It highlights that our youthful population presents an opportunity to boost economic growth, increase employment and reduce poverty.
Government has prioritised the advancement of young people, particularly their participation in the economy, so that they can take their rightful place in society.
Our interventions have begun to undo apartheid era policies which deliberately sought to keep young black South Africans out of the mainstream economy. They were merely seen as cheap labour and were designated as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" regardless of their individual abilities and aspirations.
In the now infamous words, Minister of Native Affairs Hendrik F Verwoerd explained the apartheid government's distorted rationale: “There is no space for him (the black South African) in the European Community above certain forms of labour.”
“For this reason it is of no avail for him to receive training which has its aim in the absorption of the European Community, where he cannot be absorbed,” he stated.
Today all young South Africans are given every chance to reach their full potential and be a part of the country’s development. They are encouraged to seize opportunities available to them and be the best they want to be.
Over the last twenty years we have empowered young people and given them the tools to rise above their challenges. We have also created the institutional capacity dedicated to their development and prosperity.
Central to our approach is our National Youth Policy which sets out to better equip young people to become active economic and social participants in our country.
The policy aligns the development of young people to government’s efforts to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Despite the many inroads into youth development, unemployment among young people remains a challenge as half of South Africans below the age of 25 are unemployed.. However, we should hasten and say, youth unemployment is not unique to South Africa. According to the World Economic Forum Global Risk 2014 report, there are more than 73 million unemployed people between 15 and 24 around the world.
While there is no silver bullet to tackle youth unemployment, we have created many opportunities to help turn the situation around.
Our youth can reskill themselves and get practical experience for life at work through the second chance programmes at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges.
Moreover, marginalised youth and those who have fallen out of the educational, social and economic mainstream have the opportunity to become active participants in the economy.
Young people must seize the opportunity to start their own businesses. The Small Enterprise Development Agency and the National Youth Development Agency support young entrepreneurs.
Youth-owned businesses are funded through the Small Enterprise Funding Agency which has allocated R1, 7 billion for the next five years. The Industrial Development Corporation has also set aside R1 billion for concessional lending to young entrepreneurs who create jobs among their counterparts.
Youth are encouraged to join one of our many “youth brigade” programmes around the country. In rural areas they are being skilled through government’s flagship rural programme the National Rural Youth Service Corps.
In line with our commitment to the Social Accord on Youth Employment signed by our social partners to bring more youth into the workplace - government has opened training and internships opportunities in the public sector.
Since the signing of the accord 343 000 jobs were created between April and December last year. Furthermore, over 20 000 internships were offered at provincial departments and state-owned companies in 2013.
Overall government is targeting five per cent of every department's employment to be internship opportunities for young people. This can however not be left to government alone; the private sector must assist through internships or artisanship.
It is also incumbent on young people to assume responsibility for their own destiny. They must become active participants in defining their future and the country they want to live in.
Speaking at the Presidential Youth Indaba earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma said: “As young people, you need to start thinking about your contribution to growing an inclusive economy, and to moving the country forward.”
This generation has an important role in moving our country forward. We are a nation teeming with opportunities and bursting with potential. It is up to the young people to be part of finding solutions and be part of South Africa’s success story.
Phumla Williams is Acting CEO of the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS
