Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing MEC said the reliance on state to provide social assistance to communities can be eliminated by addressing imbalances and youth unemployment. MEC Ntombi Mekgwe was speaking at the launch of Anawanti Developmental Organisation at Duduza in Ekurhuleni today. Anawanti is a youth developmental programme aimed at training unemployment youth and women on various entrepreneurial skills.
In reference to the recent research report compiled by the National Treasury in 2011 shows that South Africa has an acute problem of youth unemployment that requires a multi-pronged strategy to raise employment and support inclusion and social cohesion.
Mekgwe said the high youth unemployment means young people are not acquiring the skills or experience needed to drive the economy forward. She said this will inhibits the country’s economic development and imposes a larger burden on the state to provide social assistance.
She said every parent wants what is best for his/her children but that also comes with responsibility. “It is the responsibility of all of us to guide the youth because they are the ones who will take us to the future. If we don’t do that collectively we are doomed for a bleak future. They the youth must play their part by working hard and grab any opportunity given to them,” said Mekgwe.
MEC Mekgwe said there is a need to have an active citizenry that is conscious of itself and eager to find lasting solutions to problems facing the community. “An active citizenry does not turn a blind eye to challenges facing youth, such as drugs, alcohol abuse and crime. An active citizenry ensures that an investment is made on each and every child so that each child can be a future of this society,” she said.
Mekgwe said initiatives like this one aimed at supporting youth of Duduza with skills development, career guidance, entrepreneurship and awareness programmes will go a long way in addressing some the challenges facing the youth of this area. She said the department is embarking on a youth empowerment road shows throughout the province with a purpose of sharing and disseminating relevant career information to empower youth citizens.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
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