Youth Day June 2023 Edition

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EDITORIAL

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Rising to the challenge

June is a special month for young people in South Africa. It is the month when we remember the events of 16 and 17 June 1976, when school children were mowed down in the streets of Soweto for protesting against being taught in Afrikaans. But it is also the month when we reflect on how far we have come as a country since we became a democracy more than 29 years ago, and how far we still have to go to create a brighter tomorrow for the young people in our country. They are, after all, our future.

It has been 47 years since 1976, and the challenges facing young people today are completely different from what young people faced in those days. Nowadays, the biggest challenges appear to be linked to the economy, chiefly a scarcity of jobs. There are just too many young people who get a decent education but are unable to find any job, let alone a decent one.

One area in which there are many challenges, but also many opportunities, is technology. However, not enough appears to have been done by government and corporates to exploit the full potential of the technological revolution.

Another big challenge, which affects everybody and everything in society, is the interruptions to our power supply. Without a secure power supply, we will never be able to grow the economy and create more jobs, meaning that young people will be even more disadvantaged.

In this special publication to commemorate Youth Day, we examine some of these challenges, while also looking at young people who are achieving success despite what the world has thrown at them. We hope they will inspire others.

Ryland Fisher Editor

Protea Netball goal defender Boitumelo Mahloko shares why netball has changed her life.

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Working towards solving South Africa’s youth crisis

The National Youth Development Agency is a critical cog in the partnership between communities and government trying to address the challenges facing our youth today, writes agency executive chairperson

ASANDA LUWACA

Karl Marx once said: “Everything which exists, exists of necessity. But equally, everything which exists is doomed to perish, to be transformed into something else. Thus, what is ‘necessary’ at one time or place becomes ‘unnecessary’ in another. Everything begets its opposite which is destined to overcome and negate it.”

One of the most striking features of the African polity in pre-liberation struggle was the ability of young people to radically reshape the methods of struggle against oppressive regimes. A commonality with these liberation movements was the important and historic role that young people played, both in the processes of political and economic transformation under the liberation movements, and the processes that followed after political power was seized and state apparatus was occupied (or, in the case of South Africa, since the fi rst democratic general elections).

The youth of yesteryear understood that the total liberation of the South African people was incomplete without economic freedom. Data reported from Statistics South Africa’s

Quarterly Labour Workforce Survey indicated that in Q4 of 2022, approximately 3.4 million (33.6 per cent) of 10.2 million young people aged 15–24 years were Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET). Youth aged 15–24 years and 25–34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates, of 61. per cent and 39.9 per cent respectively.

If we consider the statistics emanating from the survey pre-COVID-19 and the most recent, we can see that unemployment among young people has worsened. It is, however, important to note that South Africa’s youth unemployment was a crisis even before the pandemic. This is because South Africa’s unemployment is structural in nature, with the skills pipeline not being generated to support employment on the supply end, while on the demand end we have an economy that has not been growing over a prolonged period.

Challenges and opportunities

While unemployment is a major challenge confronting youth, access to free, quality education also remains a challenge. The role of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in increasing access to higher education cannot be refuted. There is also a growing body of evidence that NSFAS has affected not only access but also student progress and mobility.

The fourth industrial revolution has a number of implications for skills development and education, providing an opportunity for South African educational institutions to create an environment of creativity and innovation. In order to develop a responsive post-school education and training system, relevant education opportunities must be created, and new approaches to teaching and learning developed. Tackling the digital divide is crucial to prevent and resolve issues of social inclusion. Partnerships between learning institutions, employers, industry bodies and government departments are critical. It’s also essential to develop a simpler policy framework

Asanda Luwaca

South Africa’s unemployment is structural in nature, with the skills pipeline not being generated to support employment on the supply end, while on the demand end we have an economy that has not been growing over a prolonged period.

linked to the National Development Plan’s focus on integrated development and the government’s district-based co-ordinated approach.

Entrepreneurship is seen as a possible solution to unemployment and lack of participation in the economy, but data indicates that youth participation in entrepreneurship is relatively low.

Youth-owned enterprises accounted for 23.9 per cent (575 199) of the total number (2 404 564) of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in 2021. The majority (90.4 per cent) of youth SMMEs owners were aged 25–34. A year of successive waves of COVID-19, subsequent lockdowns and the social unrest in July 2021 appears to have impacted youth-owned businesses between 2020 and 2021, with an overall decline of 4.3 per cent in 2021.

Fundamentally, South Africa needs to get its economy going. From a youth perspective, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention has already made several key interventions including the opening of the National Pathway Management Network, SAYouth, the Department of Basic Education Teacher Assistant Programme, increased support for youth-owned enterprises, and the opening of funding windows for the Innovation Fund, skills development on a pay-for-performance model and the revitalised National Youth Service. Ultimately, reducing youth unemployment will ensure a more hopeful and sustainable future for the country, achieving the vision of a South Africa where every young person has a place to go.

Developing the youth

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) was formed primarily out of the necessity to address the multiple challenges faced by the country’s youth in a post-democracy South Africa. The NYDA’s focus is informed by imperatives as contained in key instruments that inform the core business of the agency. The core activity of the NYDA is to serve as a lobby and advocacy body for the integration and mainstreaming of youth development.

The various products and services of the agency include:

DID YOU KNOW?

NYDA Grant Programme

The Grant Programme is designed to provide young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access both financial and non-financial business development support in order to enable them to establish or grow their businesses. The programme focuses on youth entrepreneurs who are at new, intentional and promising stages of enterprise development. Young people whose business ideas qualify for the Grant Programme, depending on their individual needs, will also receive some of the NYDA’s non-financial support services, including mentorship, business consultancy services, market linkages, a business management training programme, and a youth co-operative development programme.

NYDA Jobs Programme

This is for unemployed youth seeking employment opportunities. It seeks to contribute towards addressing the unemployment challenge by helping to link unemployed youth with employment opportunities and other skills development-related opportunities.

NYDA Voucher Programme

The Voucher Programme is a business support programme aimed at assisting young entrepreneurs, by providing one-on-one support to access quality business development services through NYDA-approved business consultancy service providers, thereby enhancing their participation in the mainstream economy.

THE RIGHT TOOLS

Key to the programmes mentioned, the NYDA is keenly aware that a necessity for the youth of today is having access to the various opportunities that will ultimately change their material conditions for the better. Critical to this is ensuring that the youth are given the tools and equipped with the skills to be able to advance themselves.

The words of Karl Marx then become more relevant as we ensure that our youth become the change agents of this country. Economic opportunities are critical in this regard. It is therefore imperative that institutions such as the NYDA continue to exist, to ensure that what is a necessity becomes a reality.

The main aim of the National Youth Development Agency is to make youth development part and parcel of what other line departments in government are delivering, to the point where organisational and individual performance agreements include youth development as a clear area of focus. The role is, therefore, to remove barriers to success and to assist with the development and delivery of critical success factors.

The youth of yesteryear understood that the total liberation of the South African people was incomplete without economic freedom.

NYDA voucher programme

ADDRESSING SOUTH AFRICA’S LITERACY CRISIS

The implementation of Funda Wande’s teacher assistant programme is proving valuable in improving learning outcomes.

Tackling the literacy challenge requires a shift in focus from conventional approaches to embracing a mindset of creative problem-solving. The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) results released on 16 May 2023 shed light on the magnitude of the country’s literacy problem: the study showed that only 81 per cent of learners in Grade 4 could read for meaning in any language, a startling figure.

We know the pandemic added a new and difficult dynamic, especially for already under-resourced schools. The learning losses experienced during the pandemic have been substantial. Funda Wande’s EC Learning Losses Report showed that learning losses,

in reading alone, were between 57 and 70 per cent of a normal Grade 2 year and that Grade 4 learners experienced reading losses of between 62 and 81 per cent.

As one would imagine, this paints a bleak picture of the future of learners set to move through the education pipeline. Without the right foundation, learners would likely find themselves trapped in a perpetual cycle of always “catching up”.

Regrettably, we tend to sound the alarm bells far too late when it comes to early-grade literacy. The unveiling of PIRLS and global benchmarking tools serve as a wake-up call, reflecting the impending crisis that awaits us.

FINDING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS –WE KNOW WHAT WORKS

However, not all is lost. Small-scale interventions have been shown to work, however, these need political will and resourcing to bring them to scale.

At Funda Wande, our end-line assessment of our interventions in the Eastern Cape (EC) and Limpopo showed statistically significant

WITHOUT THE RIGHT FOUNDATION, LEARNERS WOULD LIKELY FIND THEMSELVES TRAPPED IN A PERPETUAL CYCLE OF ALWAYS “CATCHING UP”.

improvement in learning outcomes. In the EC, intervention schools by 0.31 and 0.29 standard deviations for literacy and numeracy respectively. This translates to 78 per cent and 73 per cent of a year of learning for literacy and numeracy.

In Limpopo, the results showed statistically signifi cant improvements in home language and mathematics. The results indicated that learners from this cohort performed well and demonstrated positive gains of 125 per cent of a year of learning for literacy and 124 per cent of a year of learning for mathematics.

These results came about from a combination of quality learning materials developed by Funda Wande, teacher coaching and the placement of teaching assistants providing real-time classroom support. The control schools (those with materials only) also showed some improvements.

Both these interventions took place in quintile 1–3 schools facing structural challenges such as overcrowding. Even in these circumstances, the intervention still proved to be effective.

Speaking at this year’s Reading Panel, Elinor Sisulu, executive director at the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation, said: “Foundation phase learners cannot hit the streets and ‘toy-toy’, we have the duty and responsibility to advocate for children because they cannot advocate for themselves.”

There are close to four million children in the foundation phase, thus, when looking at programmes such as Funda Wande, we have to think about what it takes to reach scale.

And how to maximise the resources we have currently to truly move things forward?

POCKETS OF INNOVATION

While we know what works, we are equally aware that the education crisis does not exist in

a vacuum; there are competing priorities such as the alarming rate of unemployment among our youth that equally demands time and investment to address.

The implementation of a teacher assistant programme on a large scale has been proven feasible through the government’s Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Basic Education Employment Initiative. The Limpopo programme highlights the potential for substantial improvement in learning outcomes and provides a framework for successful recruitment, training, and mentoring approaches, according to a Funda Wande study, Two birds with one stone: Improving Grade 1 learning outcomes using Funda Wande teaching assistants in Limpopo 2021–2022.

The valuable insights gained from this programme can be integrated into future iterations of the PYEI/Jobs Fund programme, enabling the addressing of learning deficits and making significant strides in bridging the gap.

Deploying teaching assistants in schools that have inadequate funding and overcrowding can mitigate the difficulties experienced by educators. This allocation offers educators more space to focus on teaching while simultaneously creating increased opportunities for learners to receive the essential support they need.

ABOUT FUNDA WANDE

Funda Wande is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on improving early-grade reading and mathematics outcomes in South Africa. Our vision is for all children to be able to read for meaning and calculate with confidence by the age of 10.

TEACHING ASSISTANT ROLE

Bongiwe Mvemve is a teaching assistant working at Fikizolo Primary School in Makhanda, she shares that as a young person with no prospects, the role gave her a strong sense of purpose and showed her she could add value to the lives of the children she works with.

“I enjoy that they can come to me and talk about the challenges they face in their lives, they feel safe to talk to me. Doing this work made me realise a dream I didn’t know I had, which is to be a teacher,” Mvemve says. What has been clear in our experience at Funda Wande is that simply placing young people in these posts is not a silver bullet solution, it certainly is not sustainable in the long term. But, what makes them effective in supporting learning outcomes?

Some of these critical ingredients were:

• The rigorous recruitment and selection of youth.

• The provision of high-quality learner- and teacher-support material.

• Training that is both comprehensive and aligned to the materials provided.

• Continuous monitoring and support.

In our experience, young people have shown they are capable and have the skills and talents to help us support the improvement of literacy outcomes. This is a moment where we can figuratively kill two birds with one stone.

“Through continuous experimentation at a small scale and engagements with the government, there is an opportunity to show how youth can be employed in a nationwide learning-recovery programme,” write Nwabisa Makaluza and Bokang Mpeta, authors of the Two birds with one stone: Improving Grade 1 learning outcomes using Funda Wande teaching assistants in Limpopo 2021–2022 study.

Scan this QR code to go directly to the Funda Wande website.

For more information: +27 (21) 180 4646 info@fundawande.org www.fundawande.org

Babalwa Nvenve

Onalo Tiko

Social connection matters

Youth Capital’s #StandOut campaign unpacks why economic growth alone will not shift young people’s realities

Research on and consultations done with young people by Youth Capital show us that social connections create a multilayered safety net that not only supports the youth, but also helps them rise. As each of us journeys to our first quality job and a sustainable livelihood, we inevitably mobilise our social networks for access, information, support and opportunity. Just as job-seekers use connections to find employers, employers also use connections to find candidates. In South Africa, employers often rely on professional networks and past employees to find the right person for the job.

In the early 1990s, for example, a researcher found two specific dairies in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town that had employed the majority of their workers from one village in rural Ciskei. One migrant worker had referred another and so the chain went on, with family members and neighbours all working at a factory hundreds of kilometres away from their homes.

In many places in South Africa today, this principle remains the same: people are referred for jobs by somebody they know – someone who often already has a relationship with the employer. Without these connections, getting a foot in the door can be difficult.

Why social connection matters

Young people tell us that social connections matter, but many in South Africa don’t have them.

This is part of the reason that two in ten young people (aged 24–35) are without work.

Living with someone who is employed can create access to productive social networks. But 42 per cent of South Africa’s young people (aged 15–24) live in households with no employed adult. Without close ties to someone in their circles who is formally employed, many youth are cut off from social networks that can give them information about or access to the labour market.

With fewer financial resources, these young people also find it more difficult to build these connections on their own. More than half of 15–24-year-olds live in households with a per capita monthly income of less than R779.10. They cannot afford the high costs of mobile data or internet cafes, which would allow them to search for jobs or education opportunities, or build digital communities.

Research tells us that, when confronted with the high costs of job-seeking, seven out of ten young people borrow money from their relatives to look for work. Thus, without relatives to borrow from, those in poorer households are even more stuck.

This is why participants in Youth Capital’s consultations so often defined social assets as the ability to mobilise resources (ukuba nezinto). As one participant said, “The kind of home you come from and your background affect your ability to find opportunities.”

The proportion of young people living in a home where no one is employed increases to almost 60 per cent in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces, and to as much as 80 per cent in some of the poorest municipalities of the country. It’s no wonder that so many of the young people who spoke to Youth Capital describe “where you live” and “where you come from” as critical factors in how connected they are and whether they are able to leverage those connections for productive opportunities.

Those living outside major metros, for example, often find themselves at a disadvantage in the job search. Because of the power of social status and positioning in determining job prospects, some researchers describe the South African labour market as consisting of two groups: a well-connected group of “insiders” and a much larger group of “outsiders”, whose limited connections to those who are wealthy and working keep them trapped in unemployment, or in low-paid, insecure or unskilled work.

While social connections can create webs of inclusion that grow young people’s circles, link them to opportunities and resources, and keep them from falling through the cracks, they can also exclude young people, privileging the “insiders” and leaving the “outsiders” trapped on the margins.

In South Africa, exclusive social networks have historically reproduced lines of privilege, connecting young, mainly white South Africans not only to opportunity, but also to intricate knowledge of the economy from an early age.

Building social connections without exclusion

Each of us has many types of social connections. To start, we have our inner circle of close friends

Without close ties to someone in their circles who is formally employed, many youth are cut off from social networks that can give them information about or access to the labour market.

and family. These are usually the strongest and longest-lasting of our relationships. Researchers often refer to them as bonding ties; we can think of these as the foundation for strong attachments to people who play a critical role in our lives. If young people have close circles that are connected to information, resources or industry, this can create powerful opportunities.

Young people know the importance of building close ties with trusted adults who can help them discover and navigate education and job opportunities, and learn the hidden rules of the working world. For some, this adult might be a family member, but for others, adult mentors may come in the form of teachers, neighbours or supervisors. Many of the young people who spoke to Youth Capital described these adult

mentors as being “like relatives”, in the sense that these were strong bonds with people they could trust. One participant said: “My teacher, he was like an uncle to me, he offered me an application to a scholarship.”

Bonding ties with close friends, family or community members are often our most accessible social resources. However, to become thriving individuals, we also need connections that go beyond our inner circle. Bridging ties connect young people to relationships, resources and knowledge outside their immediate circles. You can think of these ties as a structure that helps young people rise above their circumstances. Building bridging ties is especially challenging for those from poorer households, particularly those in rural areas with fewer links to centres of social or economic power.

Eroding the divides

According to a 2022 study by Opportunity Insights, Social Capital Atlas (the largest study of its kind), one of the most powerful predictors of whether a child escapes poverty in the United States is how many well-off people they know. Cross-class friendships were found to be more powerful in predicting children’s upward

About Youth CApitAl

Youth Capital is an advocacy campaign with a mission to drive youth-centred, evidence-based and collective action towards tackling the systemic challenges behind youth unemployment in South Africa. its action plan combines data with young people’s experiences to shift gears on youth employment.

mobility than the quality of their schooling, their family structure or the availability of jobs. In other words: by building relationships across social and economic divides, we can start to erode the divides themselves. This is critical in South Africa, where 10 per cent of the country holds 80 per cent of the wealth, and inequality runs along stark lines of race, gender and geography.

Young people need these sorts of relationships to make themselves visible. Research shows that this visibility can come from something as simple as a reference letter that speaks to the attitudes and aptitudes of a young person. Many young people also see social media, including LinkedIn and Facebook, as a way to make themselves visible to audiences, customers, collaborators and prospective employers beyond their immediate environment.

Unemployment is rooted in a wide variety of systemic roadblocks that young people face on their road to creating sustainable livelihoods. The reality is that we can’t wait for someone else to fix this situation. The government, private sector, civil society and young South Africans must work together to grow and deepen social support for young people, and strengthen their connections to the world of work.

As part of its calls to action, Youth Capital, along with its network of youth and organisations, is advocating that we collectively grow young people’s circles, as a way to shift systems of exclusion and draw them closer to opportunity.

Evidence shows that when young people lack personal connections to grow their circles, local non-governmental organisations as well as youth organisations can provide the kind of mentoring and bridging capital that are often missing for youth from lower-income households.

By building relationships across social and economic divides, we can start to erode the divides themselves.

JOIN #STANDUP

NAVIGATING THE SOUTH AFRICAN WORKPLACE

YUNEAL PADAYACHY, chief support officer at The BEE Chamber, offers essential advice for the youth entering the workplace

Youth Day in South Africa is celebrated on 16 June to commemorate the pivotal role young people played in the struggle against apartheid and their fight for equal education and rights. The significance of this day can be traced back to the tragic events that occurred on 16 June 1976 in Soweto.

On that day, thousands of black students took to the streets to protest against the then government’s discriminatory education policies, particularly the enforcement of Afrikaans as the primary language of instruction in schools, demanding to be taught

in their native language with access to quality education.

The peaceful demonstration turned violent as the police responded with brutal force, firing live ammunition at the protesters. Many students lost their lives.

The events of that day marked a turning point in the anti-apartheid movement and highlighted the resilience, bravery and determination of South African youth. It galvanised the youth to continue their

fight for freedom and equality, inspiring a generation to participate actively in the struggle against apartheid. Today, Youth Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by young people in South Africa and celebrates their significant contributions to the country’s democratic transformation. It is a day to honour their courage, activism, and commitment to social justice, education and equal opportunities for all.

With this in mind, I believe it is essential to offer advice to the youth navigating the South African workplace.

BY EMBRACING A GROWTH MINDSET, INVESTING IN

CONTINUOUS LEARNING, BUILDING

STRONG PROFESSIONAL NETWORK, NAVIGATING WORKPLACE DYNAMICS AND SEEKING MENTORSHIP, SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH CAN THRIVE IN THE WORKPLACE.

A

Yuneal Padayachy

FIVE STRATEGIES TO EMPOWER FUTURE LEADERS

Entering the workplace as a young individual in South Africa can be exciting and challenging. As South Africa’s future leaders, the youth play a vital role in shaping the nation’s economic growth and development. To thrive in this dynamic environment, South African youth must be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and strategies. We need to empower youth in the workplace with the focus on professional development, networking, workplace dynamics and personal wellbeing.

My key considerations for youth are as follows:

1. Embrace a growth mindset. Cultivating a growth mindset is essential for success in the workplace. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. View failures as valuable lessons that contribute to personal and professional development. Develop a thirst for knowledge, seek feedback and constantly strive to improve. By maintaining a growth mindset, South African youth can adapt to changing circumstances, embrace innovation and seize new opportunities in their careers. I live by the quote, “Failure is success in progress”. by Albert Einstein, which has helped me to treat challenges as opportunities.

2. Invest in continuous learning. In today’s rapidly evolving job market, it is crucial to invest in continuous learning. Acquiring new skills and staying updated with industry trends enhances employability and career prospects. I urge all youth to take advantage of online courses, workshops and professional development programmes. Leverage the educational resources offered by reputable institutions, government initiatives or private organisations. By investing in continuous learning, South African youth can stay competitive and position themselves as valuable assets in the workplace.

3. Build a strong professional network. Networking is a powerful tool for career advancement and is often underestimated. It’s essential to seek opportunities to connect with professionals in your fi eld of interest. Attend industry events, join professional associations and participate in networking platforms. Engage in meaningful conversations, demonstrate genuine interest

and be open to collaboration. A strong professional network provides access to mentorship, job opportunities and valuable insights. Additionally, support fellow young professionals by sharing knowledge and experiences, fostering a collaborative environment that uplifts the entire community.

4. Navigate workplace dynamics. Understanding workplace dynamics is essential for success. Adapt to the corporate culture while staying true to your values. Learn to collaborate effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Communicate respectfully, listen actively and contribute constructively to team projects. Cultivate strong interpersonal skills, such as confl ict resolution, empathy and cultural sensitivity. Recognise and respect the hierarchy and authority structures in the workplace while fi nding your voice and expressing your ideas. Strive for a healthy work-life balance to maintain productivity and wellbeing.

5. Seek mentorship and guidance. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in career growth, so identify experienced professionals that can guide and inspire you. Seek mentors within your organisation or industry that can provide valuable insights, advice and support. Establish open lines of communication with your mentors and take the initiative in seeking their guidance. They can offer career advice, help navigate challenges and provide opportunities for professional development. Actively engage in mentorship programmes or reach out to potential mentors that align with your career aspirations.

As the future of South Africa’s workforce, young professionals play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s prosperity. By embracing a growth mindset, investing in continuous learning, building a strong professional network, navigating workplace dynamics and seeking mentorship, South African youth can thrive in the workplace.

Remember, success is a journey that requires perseverance, resilience and adaptability. By applying these strategies, young professionals can seize opportunities, overcome challenges and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of South Africa’s economy.

ABOUT THE BEE CHAMBER

The BEE Chamber was established in 2016 by BEESA as the next evolution of a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) consulting partner –not a traditional consultancy –seeking to implement B-BBEE best practices and enable businesses in promoting South Africa’s diversity and equity policies, rather than leaving them reliant on isolated sets of complex information. Operating virtually and with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg since 2016, The BEE Chamber’s team of highly skilled and passionate experts enables BEE practitioners within businesses to truly understand and instil South Africa’s evolving diversity and equity policies. As a group of specialised B-BBEE consultants, The BEE Chamber supports internal capacity building, simplifies complexity and elevates its clients’ B-BBEE practices to a level of excellence by using the tools of continuous support and engagement. It provides support, information, services and software to those practitioners responsible for managing a company’s B-BBEE Scorecard – and who, as caring corporate citizens, desire to move beyond box-ticking to the implementation of truly meaningful and transformative B-BBBEE policies for the benefit of the country.

AS SOUTH AFRICA’S FUTURE LEADERS, THE YOUTH PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SHAPING THE NATION’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

The youth are an asset in most economies. Equipping them with labour-market skills and providing them with opportunities to become well-integrated into the workforce benefi ts not only their own wellbeing, but also the productive potential of the economy and social cohesion in general.

The latest figures from Statistics SA reveal a bleak picture: youth 15–24 years and 25–34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates of 62.1 per cent and 40.7 per cent respectively in the fourth quarter of 2022, graduate unemployment was 10.6 per cent, while the offi cial unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 32.9 per cent. Equally worrying, an estimated 3.7 million out of 10.2 million young people aged 15–24 years were not in employment, education or training.

WHERE DO WE START?

While we have globally recognised tertiary institutions, there is concern about whether our education system is fit for purpose and providing the necessary education aligned with what industry and commerce require or expect.

The workplace now needs people who know the value and benefits of collaboration, innovation, problem-solving and developing digital skills that are in demand across many sectors. We need closer collaboration between the education system and the private sector to achieve alignment on the relevant courses and programmes that will make it relatively easier for young graduates to secure employment.

The South African economy is rapidly changing. Despite rising unemployment, there are specific opportunities for millions of young people that can be unlocked through targeted interventions, sector co-ordination and recalibrating existing tools. We need to create a conducive, supportive environment for the private sector to invest in job-creating projects that can absorb our youth. This means government should continue to implement structural reforms that address such issues as regulatory and policy concerns as well as further easing the burden of red tape.

BUILDING SKILLS

At Unilever, we take youth unemployment seriously. Our company’s vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business, and our company mission is to “Make Sustainable Living Commonplace”.

We acknowledge that the youth are indeed our consumers of the future and there is a need to harness talent through

our recruitment initiatives. We will continue to support young people in South Africa with essential skills to prepare them for job opportunities through such platforms as Level UP – a youth employability platform –which provides a one-stop-shop for young people to discover their purpose and access training, volunteering and work experience opportunities. To date 3 035 South African youths have signed up for the programme since its inception in 2016.

We are increasingly working with like-minded partners to create employment skills in people aged 15–24 to help them find and keep meaningful work and to encourage them to take a purposeful approach to their future.

Our local projects and initiatives we action towards this commitment include:

• Training. Business case competitions (South Africa Idea Trophy and Africa Idea Trophy), online courses, training, coaching and mentoring through LevelUP (masterclasses on personal branding, purpose and hard skills such as digital).

• Work Experience. Unilever Future Leaders Programme, a three- to four-year accelerated graduate programme, Unilever Leadership Internship Programme, and internships.

• Volunteering. We encourage and engage young people to support community and sustainable initiatives to create a better world and become a better youth.

For us as an organisation, it is important to help equip young people with essential skills because young people are our future – our consumers, employees, partners and policymakers. Additionally, young people are vulnerable, and many leave school without the skills or knowledge to succeed in today’s working world.

Job creation for our youth should be a priority for all, writes JUSTIN APSEY, Unilever Southern Africa executive vice president

THERE ARE SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILLIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CAN BE UNLOCKED THROUGH TARGETED INTERVENTIONS, SECTOR CO-ORDINATION AND RECALIBRATING EXISTING TOOLS.

Justin Apsey

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the job sectors in South Africa hit hardest by skills shortages are the information technology and finance sectors, writes DEIDRE

Access to the internet provides innovative solutions for scarce skills. This is the opinion of Katharina Pillay, MD of the South African Communication Forum, who says that it is imperative to change our concept of learning. “COVID-19 lockdowns established an excellent case study, demonstrating how connectivity and internet access remove geographic barriers to enable remote working and learning.

“As the world grappled with the pandemic, governments, original equipment manufacturers and training institutions collaborated to provide online courses at no cost to learners and students. Today, many are still available and provide opportunities, especially to students who may be resource constrained.”

Pillay advises that it is also important to be conscious of how dynamic the tech space is. “As a country, we must monitor these developments and ensure that we are not left behind. Students need to recognise that most jobs available today are unlikely to exist in the next two decades, so they need to go beyond the traditional and

familiar areas of study and look towards new areas. Skills and careers ought to be viewed from the point of adaptability and constant learning.”

According to CareerJunction, skills scarcity can be attributed to tertiary education being too expensive for the majority of the population, and low wages resulting in highly-skilled workers leaving South African employers for better-paid jobs and opportunities overseas.

Access vs accessibility

Rendani Tshivhase, MD of technology development company Mfundopedia, believes that a significant challenge facing South Africa is access to the internet, particularly among black youth.

“It’s important to understand the difference between access and accessibility,” he says. Access is a technical term that describes the ability to connect physically to the internet, such as through a wired or wireless connection.

Tshivhase explains that South Africa is doing well in terms of access, with the expansive growth in mobile networks over the last few years ensuring internet coverage across the country.

“On the other hand, internet accessibility refers to the ability to use the internet effectively and

CRITICAL SCARCE SKILLS

According to CareerJunction’s Critical Scarce Skills list, recruiters are particularly struggling to source skilled talent in:

• Software development

• Technical/business architecture

• Database design/development/ administration

• Systems analysis

• Data analysis/data warehousing

• Business analysis

In the finance sector, there is a shortage of skilled professionals in:

• External auditing

• Taxation

• Actuarial management/ administration

• Financial analysis

• Cost and management accounting

efficiently,” he says. “It encompasses a range of factors, including digital literacy, availability of devices, affordability of internet plans, and accessibility of websites and digital content.

“This becomes more complex in an unequal society like South Africa, meaning that far too many youth continue to face barriers to accessing online information and services. Removing these barriers opens up opportunities to upskill quickly.”

4IR technologies

When young people are considering career choices, they need to understand that the current driving tech forces are automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). “An example is the financial sector,” says Tshivhase. “Programming started out to automate repetitive and routine tasks, but evolved to be able to perform advanced analytical tasks and extract insights at a much faster pace than traditional methods.”

Tshivhase explains that the fast-paced tech space sees software developers and developer programmers use low-code and nocode platforms to create applications without needing to write complex code from scratch. Data scientists use machine learning and AI tools to automate the analysis of large datasets and derive insights that would be difficult to obtain using traditional methods. Market research analysts use social media listening tools and sentiment analysis software to monitor consumer behaviour and sentiment in real time.

“The constant development means that traditional, person-dependent jobs can easily be replaced by technology,” concludes Tshivhase.

FORBAY

“Students need to recognise that most jobs available today are unlikely to exist in the next two decades, so they need to go beyond the traditional and familiar areas of study and look towards new areas.” – Katharina Pillay

Internet access provides innovative solutions for skills shortage

Rendani Tshivhase

Katharina Pillay

EQUIPPING AND SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE

As we commemorate Youth Month, SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES IN SOUTH AFRICA reinforces the importance of investing in youth education, training and skills development

SOS Children’s Villages (SOS) equips young people for the world of work, through its YouthCan! and YouthLinks programmes. Through the YouthCan! Programme, SOS Children’s Villages partners with corporate companies to expose young people to vocational training opportunities, such as hairdressing, hospitality skills, painting and interior designing. They are provided with job shadowing opportunities at different companies and given learnership and internship opportunities. We leverage our corporate partnerships to support young people to transition from school to independent adulthood.

YouthLInks, a mentoring programme that links young people to mentors that can support them on their journey, uses the power of technology to provide training and mentorship opportunities, overcoming geographical and professional limitations. YouthLinks supports young people in building networks with experienced corporate and

ABOUT SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES

business mentors and provides engagement and development opportunities for corporate partners’ employees. The mentors have regular check-in sessions with the young people to make sure the youth are equipped and on their way to the labour market.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

SOS Children’s Villages has dedicated youth development co-ordinators in each programme, responsible for youth development and support to ensure that these young people can transition into independent living and become contributing members of society. They guide young people in shaping their futures.

The lack of decent work and employment opportunities for young people in South Africa is a ticking time bomb. It is particularly daunting for those who cannot count on the networks, resources and guidance from their own families. These young people then face social and economic exclusion. As a result, they have limited opportunities to access the labour market and embark on their careers.

One such young person is Thapelo from Kgaphamadi in the Limpopo province. Like many of the children who end up under SOS Children’s Villages’ support, Thapelo and his siblings did not have an easy start to life. Through the SOS Children’s Village Sekhukhune Social Centre in Limpopo, the family received food parcels and was able to register and receive social grants. Thapelo was also introduced to the programmes offered by SOS Children’s Villages, which helped shape his future. His entrepreneurial skills were polished through the youth development programmes, and he was able to start a footwear manufacturing business. Today, Thapelo supports his family and is transferring his skills to other young people in the community.

SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, nongovernmental organisation that advocates for the rights of South Africa’s most marginalised children. We offer loving, family-like care for children and young people who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Established in 1984, SOS has eight children’s villages and three social centres across eight provinces.

Our alternative care, family strengthening and youth employability programmes provide life-changing support to children and families countrywide.

The alternative care model comprises four principles: a mother (each child has a caring parent), brothers and sisters (the family ties grow naturally), a house (a secure place to grow up in) and a village (the SOS family is part of the community).

Our family strengthening programme aims to enable children at risk of losing the care of their families to grow within a safe family environment. We work in co-operation with local authorities and other service providers to empower families and communities to effectively protect and care for their children. Corporate support and donors are needed to continue this important work.

The youth development programmes at SOS Children’s Villages seek to contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people.

For more information: +27 11 234 8708 info@sos.org.za www.sossouthafrica.org.za

Scan this QR code to go directly to the SOS Children’s Villages website.

#MAPONYAHUB

Maponya Mall Community Hub, part of an ongoing asset-based community development programme, is making critical strides in addressing capacity building for South Africa’s unemployed youth, writes

VUKANI MAGUBANE

The Maponya Mall Community Hub, a state-of-the-art facility that recently opened its doors at Soweto’s mega retail Maponya Mall, is providing young people with the means to break down institutional barriers to employment and chart their own destinies. The Hub provides access to capacity building initiatives, opportunities for skills development and information to improve their employability.

The facility’s opening was the culmination of a four-year journey that started in 2019 and continued through the COVID-19 lockdowns, and forms part of an ongoing asset-based community development (ABCD) programme led by Redefine Properties and its partners, the Dr Richard Maponya Institute for Skills and Entrepreneurship Development, the FNB Philanthropy Centre and the Afrika Tikkun Foundation. The ABCD method of community engagement allows for community-centred conversations, recognising community assets and capabilities as points of entry for engaging in meaningful conversations. The community is not viewed as a “victim” in need of assistance.

Community ownership

The Soweto community formed a critical partner in the community engagements, which challenged conventional assumptions and recognised the community as a capabilitypossessing agency with the ability to lead its own development process.

“It was important to have inclusive engagement and community buy-in from the onset through

conversations, which served as a powerful tool not just for bringing people together, but also for creating equity and developing a collective action to solve the challenges and issues facing the community,” says Anelisa Keke, chief sustainability officer at Redefine. “We consulted broadly with community-based organisations, youth-led formations, businesses, political and local leadership structures, and schools. The greatest achievement was community ownership through this engagement. The work advanced because they played a role in crafting solutions for their community.”

These community engagements led to several initiatives including the capacity-building programmes for nonprofit organisations and small, medium and micro enterprises, as well as the establishment of the Soweto Community Hub focusing on youth development.

BREAKING THE CYCLE

The Hub includes three flagship programmes –the ICT Academy, Retail Academy and the Youth Accelerator Programme – that recruit young people from the community to develop skills and gain on-the-job experience through partnerships with local businesses.

According to Afrika Tikkun project manager Sithembile Nkosi, the youth development programmes offer young people access and opportunities to gain work-related experience, and break the cycle of not having the necessary skills to secure stable employment opportunities. Afrika Tikkun is the partner responsible for implementing the youth programmes.

The ICT Academy is a yearlong training programme with the goal of placing 30 per cent of the students in full-time employment. It currently has 23 young people participating and receiving training in software development.

The students will qualify as junior software developers with Microsoft certification. The skills from the programme will empower them to design, implement and manage tech-based services that support the core functions of a business.

The Retail Academy programme consists of four months of skills training and eight months of on-the-job experience with retail partners around Maponya Mall, with the aim of supporting local businesses while gaining work experience.

The Youth Accelerator programme is for out-of-school youth who are still exploring and trying to find their niche. It helps undecided youth build skills, gain personal mastery and become work ready.

“To ease the financial strain, the students are given a stipend for travel,” Nkosi explains, “For some of the candidates it’s a choice between paying for a taxi to get to the classes or buying food. It is dire and this assistance gives them a head start.”

Nkosi, who grew up in Alexandra township, says she understands the challenges youth face. “It’s about building hope. It’s about making a difference. We want to give them support so they can approach their studies from a position of strength.”

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment in South Africa is a huge socioeconomic challenge, especially for young people.

According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Survey, in the third quarter of 2022 the youth unemployment rate was 45.5 per cent. Youth unemployment has a detrimental impact on young people and communities, often leading to social instability, crime and social exclusion.

The Maponya Mall Community Hub Youth Development Programme

“It was important to have inclusive engagement and community buy-in from the onset through conversations.” – Anelisa Keke

Supporting STE(A)M

ITUMELENG MOGAKI looks at corporate investment in STEAM education programmes

Astron Energy’s corporate affairs manager Jill Koopman says the company’s main corporate social investment is centred on encouraging innovation to tackle challenges within the communities where the company operates. Part of Astron Energy’s integrated approach to learning includes literacy and elements of numeracy, to ensure the foundations and basics are in place. The fuel company calls this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education.

While STEM education is focused explicitly on the hard scientific, technological, engineering or mathematical skills, STEAM sees students leveraging collaborative learning, where both hard and soft skills to solve problems are encouraged. This in turn promotes innovation to solve global challenges.

Astron Energy CEO Thabiet Booley has been quoted as saying that the company realised the growth and development of key STEM skills in South Africa faced deep challenges due to a basic lack of literacy and numeracy among many learners.

“Literacy and numeracy shortcomings impact the ability of children to comprehend and engage effectively. In response, the company adopted the STEAM approach, with the aim of improving literacy levels, developing problem-solving skills and giving young people the best possible chance of succeeding in a digital future.

“With our focus on a more rounded educational approach, the result is that STEAM not only improves literacy and numeracy levels, but also develops problem-solving and process-based learning, which are crucial in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Booley. “We believe that this approach will provide

young people with the holistic education they seek to broaden their knowledge and skills, and will open the doors of opportunity to the digital economy.”

Koopman agrees and adds that Astron Energy’s investment, for instance, in coding and robotics programme in Springs in east Gauteng has seen young school learners using what they had been taught during the year to come up with simple solutions to problems such as load shedding, crime and access to healthcare. “This investment resulted in a tangible demonstration of how we can make a difference.”

INNOVATIVE SUPPORT

Cynthia Khoali, corporate responsibility manager at automation and electrification company ABB, says the business has partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct to equip young people from disadvantaged communities with fourth industrial revolution (4IR) skills.

Run by technical lecturers, the programme encompasses training on 4IR skills such as coding, 3D design printing and robotics. “Graduates with promising business ideas for products and services using the latest digital technologies receive support from the WITS Tshimologong Makerspace,” says Khoali.

ABB also supports school Science Week events by giving presentations on the latest technologies in renewable energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility and digital automation platforms. The Science Week experience supports learners in their STEM subjects too. “Our engineers volunteer their time and expertise to encourage learner interest in careers in science, maths, engineering and technology through presentations on ABB’s digital

technologies,” says Khoali. “They do this because they know how important it is to fill the pipeline of young engineers in a country like South Africa.”

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, says the country’s employment opportunities require youth with technical and vocational skills. “Currently, technical skills are in dire need, particularly in the areas of electrical, mechanical, industrial and civil engineering.”

Dr Dickson says he would like to encourage businesses in South Africa to work with educational institutions by providing practical learning opportunities for graduates, so they can learn how to apply the skills they have acquired. “With state funding being reduced for universities and technikons, additional support is vital. This option may not appeal to shareholders. However, it is important to see the bigger picture, where the value lies in investing in employees of the future who will be key in taking the country forward.”

CBI-electric’s holding company has taken this a step further with the establishment of Reunert College, which offers a bridging programme for school leavers from previously disadvantaged communities. “This enables them to improve their matric results, which might otherwise have prevented them from getting a university exemption and/or from becoming employed,” explains Dr Dickson. “Many participants who have successfully completed the programme have secured bursaries to study further.”

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

This is a list of bursaries available for young people wishing to study further in the areas of STEM or STEAM.

• Vodacom Foundation

• Sasol Bursary

• PPS Foundation Bursary

South Africa 2023

• South African Civil Aviation Authority Bursary

• Absa Fellowship Programme

Application 2023

• National Society Of High School Scholars

STEAM Scholarship

• CSIR bursary programme

Cynthia Khoali

Learners from Mega Primary with their school safety system design.

Learners from Mega Primary with their energy-saving initiative.

ENSURING ECONOMIC INCLUSION AND DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURS

VELAPHI RATSHEFOLA , managing director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, answers some questions about what the company is doing to assist emerging small businesses, help reduce youth unemployment and ensure the economic inclusion of underserved communities

Q: How many entrepreneurs has Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) supported over the years, and in what regions?

A: CCBSA’s Bizniz-in-a-Box (BiB) initiative is now in its seventh year and has supported over 700 entrepreneurs across several provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It has provided 758 containers, including 400 for young entrepreneurs, and has spent more than R120-million towards BiB-related initiatives.

Q: What is Bizniz-in-a-Box?

A: The Bizniz in a Box (BiB) initiative, launched in 2016, is an ideal platform for supporting emerging and small businesses, particularly those run by women and youth. The BiB programme provides small businesses with the container infrastructure to set up their small business, whether it’s a salon, food stall or car wash, and so forth. BiB aims to help reduce youth unemployment and associated poverty levels and inequality by providing opportunities for youth to grow and sustain their businesses. For the last seven years, CCBSA’s BiB has contributed meaningfully towards reducing youth unemployment by partnering with national and provincial government, local municipalities and development finance institutions. These partnerships have enabled

entrepreneurs to develop businesses, improve their skills, access capital, manage supply chains, and be inspired.

Q: How do entrepreneurs bene t from Bizniz-in-a-Box?

A: Our entrepreneurship programmes focus on initiatives that provide our target groups with the opportunity to take an existing business to a higher level of operation. Our employability programmes focus on programmes that upskill, reskill or provide other opportunities that enhance our target group’s prospects of finding sustainable employment.

The success of these programmes will be defined by the extent to which we boost income, unlock sustainable earning potential and improve skills and business knowledge for our target groups, resulting in access to economic opportunities for themselves, their dependents, and the communities where they are located. Whether donating money, our time or expertise, we take our responsibility to the communities we call home seriously.

Q: How does CCBSA de ne economic inclusion and why is it important?

A: We defi ne economic inclusion as creating gainful economic opportunities for underserved communities (women, youth, people with disabilities and rural areas) by providing them with access to markets that boost income and yield sustainable earnings in our own business and the industry. Our new framework intends to embed economic inclusion across our value chain and make it part of how we do business the right way. We understand that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too. Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability.

Scan this QR code to go directly to the Coca Cola website.

For more information: 011 848 2600 media@ccbagroup.com www.ccbsaco.com

OUR NEW FRAMEWORK INTENDS TO EMBED ECONOMIC INCLUSION ACROSS OUR VALUE CHAIN AND MAKE IT PART OF HOW WE DO BUSINESS THE RIGHT WAY.

Youth committed to creating a better legacy

TUSWA

Brinny Mphogo, 32

Mphogo, who owns award-winning commercial construction company ABV, has been working for himself since he was 14 years old. He says that he was quite impatient in terms of wanting a better life for himself and found that the best way to do that was to chase it on his own.

Bongani Mngaza, 35

Some people run from fi re, and then there is Ipeleng Ngwato from Alexandra in Johannesburg, who chooses to run into it.

An experienced fi refi ghter and emergency medical technician, Ngwato has always been inspired to help others.

He says that getting qualifi ed was a big challenge, as his mother needed to make major fi nancial sacrifi ces for his training. Despite qualifying, he didn’t walk into a fi refi ghting job. While those around him discouraged his efforts, he forged ahead, and after years of volunteering at fi re stations and ER24, Ngwato has realised his dream and joined the City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services. Next on his list? “Getting my helicopter pilot licence, so I can fi ght bigger fi res.”

Mphogo was born in Thembisa, his mom was a domestic worker and his dad was a bricklayer. “I spent most of my holiday time working with my dad on site to get a feel for what kept him away from the house for so long. There, I got to see how possible it is to do things for yourself.

Mngaza is an IT lecturer at Rosebank College, an emerging serial tech entrepreneur and an innovator. In 2012, while studying software development at Nelson Mandela University, Mngaza and a group from his class were assigned a project to design a web application of their choice as their final project before graduating. Their first project was unfortunately not a success. As a result, they had to repeat the year – and come up with a new idea.

“Failing is very depressing when you have to watch the people who were in the same class with you graduating and succeeding,” says Mngaza. “But something good came out of my failed project, which later became my first tech venture, Sgela Saam.”

Sgele Saam is an edutech app that focuses on enabling high school learners to access learning material and problem-solving skills from their peers. The venture was included in the UCT GSB Solution Space 2022 e-Track Programme as one of the top start-ups in Africa.

Mngaza also later pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Enterprise Management and an MBA at Rhodes University. “Combining tech skills with business skills led me to start Blackbelt in Business, which focuses on helping entrepreneurs blueprint their enterprises with IT as its backbone to allow for efficiency and growth.”

Ethan Josephs, 23

Josephs started a home maintenance business, Eazy Maintenance, when he was just 20. He lived with his maternal grandparents, with a grandfather who “could x anything and taught me how to x almost everything”.

However, entrepreneurship wasn’t Josephs’ rst choice. He wanted to study electrical engineering but realised too late that he had made the wrong subject choices. After matric, he applied to the South African National Defence Force and Police Service, but when no response came he realised he needed to carve out a future for himself.

Josephs says that business isn’t easy when you are young. “Clients often underestimate or question your ability. I’ve had to work at risk to prove myself, but this has driven me to exceed expectations, and my business has grown through word-of-mouth recommendations.”

His advice to other entrepreneurs: “Try and be the best at what you do, and resist blowing that rst big pay cheque.”

In a country with high unemployment and many living on the poverty datum line, South African youth are showing remarkable resilience as they seek alternative avenues to creating a better life for themselves, write DEIDRE FORBAY and ANELISA

Ipeleng Ngwato, 32

Bongani Mngaza

Brinny Mphogo

Ipeleng Ngwato

Ethan Josephs

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Making it count on the COURT

HAPPY ZONDI catches up with Protea Netball goal defender Boitumelo Mahloko, who shares why netball has changed her life

Mahloko, 22, is one of the rising stars in netball. A final-year BCom Finance student at the University of Johannesburg, she was part of the squad that recently won the Africa Netball World Cup Qualifiers with the Spar Proteas. For this young woman from Polokwane, who was raised by her single mom with her two older brothers, it is just the beginning.

Where did it all start?

I started playing netball at the age of six. At 12 I made my first provincial team and at 16 I was selected as captain of the national team. I went to the University of the Free State in 2019 and joined the Free State Crinums for the 2019/2020 season of the Telkom Netball League.

Why netball?

I started with athletics and swimming, but when Netball South Africa president Cecilia Molokwane visited our school and saw me play, she invited me to join her club. I went on to play for multiple provincial and national teams because of the constant training I got from playing for the club.

Who has who played a significant role in your career?

Cecilia was my fi rst mentor. Bongiwe Msomi, my coach at the University of Johannesburg, has helped me to realise that I can also be versatile as a player instead of just focusing on one position.

What is it like to play for the Proteas?

Being a Protea is an honour but it’s tough as well. It is important to remain consistent in your training and make it part of your lifestyle.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered in your journey?

At 18 I had an injury setback where I tore my right knee ligament, which kept me from playing for a year. After an intensive rehabilitation programme with my physiotherapist, was I eventually selected for the under-21 Baby Proteas at the end of 2020.

What are your goals in the next five to ten years?

I would like to play in the World Cup in July. My long-term goal is playing overseas –maybe until the age of 30.

How do you balance your career with study demands?

I try to study whenever I get an opportunity to do so. I take my books to camp so that, when I get an opening, I can catch up on my studies.

What is your message to the youth?

Grab every opportunity that comes your way and believe in yourself. If I was able to come this far being from Limpopo with limited opportunities, what stops you from also pursuing your goals?

BOITUMELO MAHLOKO ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Making national team and captain at the age of 16

• Donning the green and gold for the U20 Region 5 at the age of 17

• Being part of the first Gauteng Golden Fireballs to win the Telkom Netball League in 2021

• Being awarded Sportswoman of the Year at the University of Johannesburg in 2021

• Winning gold at the Spar National Championships and the Spar National Team World Cup Qualifiers in one month

• Being part of the first 24 players contracted by Netball South Africa in their bid to push for professional netball in South Africa

“Being a Protea is an honour but it’s tough as well. It is important to remain consistent in your training.”

– Boitumelo Mahloko

Boitumelo Mahloko

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate remains a critical challenge, needing urgent action. Lack of access to essential services such as education and healthcare has contributed immensely to the country’s unemployment crisis. According to the latest figures by Statistics SA, South Africa’s unemployment rate is currently sitting at 32.9 per cent. Youth unemployment has increased by 1.1 per cent, further contributing to inequality, social exclusion and poverty – constraining young people’s ability to make a living.

While these figures are nothing new, it is also concerning as they indicate that poverty and social exclusion are on the rise, particularly for people living in underserved communities. We continue to witness many young people struggle to secure formal employment while many graduates sit at home with degrees, unable to get jobs after completing their studies. Limited skills development and training opportunities focusing on developing professional and personal skills are available for young people.

ADDRESSING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT HEAD ON

For the past 12 years, The Learning Trust has been developing the after-school sector, supporting grassroots organisations that implement extended learning interventions – from extra-curricular activities, such as academic tutoring, literacy and numeracy support programmes, sport and recreational activities, arts and culture, and life skills programmes, to various youth skills development activities. We’ve seen the impact of after-school programmes, signalling their potential for addressing youth unemployment.

Youth employment opportunities in the after-school sector

As part of our efforts to assist in reducing youth unemployment, we convened the After School Catch-Up Coalition, a collaborative approach to learning recovery and support for children most impacted by school closures, rotational timetables, unemployment and poverty. The coalition leverages public employment funding to increase human capacity in the after-school sector through after-school assistants. The Social Employment Fund, part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus managed by the Industrial Development Corporation, is one of the Catch-Up Coalition’s projects.

Through the Catch-Up Coalition, we have employed over 6 000 people that receive much-needed skills training such as job readiness and personal and professional development. We have enrolled them into extended education programmes, which they would not have access to otherwise. The project’s ultimate goal is to create meaningful opportunities and help solve issues for the common good. Through this work, we’re preparing unemployed people for transitioning into other more sustainable work and entrepreneurial opportunities upon their exit.

IMPROVING YOUNG PEOPLE’S OPPORTUNITIES

With this growing need to support more young people’s access to employment opportunities, the after-school sector has proven to be a crucial stepping stone for young people to access the much-needed skills and income to sustain their livelihoods, all while gaining valuable work experience.

As such, it is also critical to establish partnerships between the business/private sector, civil society and government to address our education crisis and youth unemployment. Various actions are required to achieve this redress, for instance:

• partnering with The Learning Trust to prepare youth for the world of work;

• provide training for youth in both personal and professional skills;

• host young people for short-term work experience opportunities;

• place trained youth in future employment after their short-term social employment opportunity;

• offer youth bursary opportunities for further studies; and

• offer staff volunteer opportunities within the after-school sector as tutors, facilitators, coaches and mentors.

THE LEARNING TRUST is actively involved in the development and growth of the after-school sector

WE CONVENED THE AFTER SCHOOL CATCH-UP COALITION, A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING RECOVERY AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN MOST IMPACTED BY SCHOOL CLOSURES, ROTATIONAL TIMETABLES, UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY.