Polokwane – In the next five years the Government of National Unity (GNU) will focus on creating jobs, and building an inclusive growing economy, Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus “Paul” Mashatile told a well-attended Youth Day event in Limpopo.
Speaking at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Deputy President Mashatile said: “We are all aware of the challenges that the current generation of youth face, which includes poverty, social inequality, poor mental health, and high levels of unemployment”.
Deputy President Mashatile added: “We must collectively address these challenges; neither the government nor the private sector should be solely responsible for them.
“These challenges necessitate a ‘whole of society approach’.
“We have to work together to provide youth, especially those in remote rural areas, with better access to quality education that can empower them with the basic skills to become more productive in society.
“We need to equip young people with the necessary skills to adapt to the labour market, especially for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).”
On mental health, Deputy President Mashatile said: “We must also collaborate to address the growing concern about poor mental health among young people.
“Even more worrying is that mental health services and support systems are often inadequate, leading to the non-diagnosis and lack of treatment of mental illnesses.”
Earlier in his address, the deputy president reminded the audience that this year’s Youth Day coincided with Father’s Day, saying: “We urge you to continue to support your children and families.
“Your role is beyond your immediate children and families. We also urge the children and families to spoil their fathers today.”
Deputy President Mashatile said South Africa can not move forward without the youth.
He said the National Development Plan places youth at the centre of the country’s development.
“Youth participation in our development initiatives is critical to meeting our growth targets,” the deputy president said.
“We must include young people in discussions that influence their current and future growth.”
He also spoke about how the government was enabling access to higher education.
“We are also aware that funding has been a challenge as a result of the administrative challenges at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS),” Deputy President Mashatile said.
“Together with the youth, we will ensure that NSFAS is administered efficiently, and effective and that no one is left behind.”
NSFAS remains a critical vehicle that supports students from poor and working-class families.
Over 70% of university students and more than 90% of TVET college students benefit from NSFAS bursaries.
Deputy President Mashatile said through education, the youth can be empowered towards economic freedom.
“Over the years, we have invested hugely in a transformed education system,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on the fact that our spending on education, as a proportion of overall government expenditure and GDP, far exceeds the benchmarks set by UNESCO, which recommends allocating 15–20% of public spending and 4–6% of GDP to education.”
He said despite the country’s challenging financial circumstances, the government continues to invest in youth human capital development, allocating R31.8 billion for basic education in 2023 and R130.1 billion for post-secondary education and training in 2022.
“Moving forward, we will continue to invest in the establishment of an inclusive education system that provides quality education to children from low-income and working-class families, beginning in the foundation phase and continuing through to higher education,” said Mashatile.
“We are committed to addressing the plight of youth through the NYDA’s job creation and enterprise development programmes.
“Additionally, the NYDA provides a variety of programs to assist individuals pursuing higher education.”
Deputy President Mahatile said as South Africa traverses the economic challenges, the youth were urged to adopt the same attitude as Hector Peterson, Mbuyisa Makhubu, Tsietsi Mashinini, and all the youth of 1976, whose sacrifices gave birth to the country’s political freedom.
“Their efforts have set us on the right path towards a South Africa that is non-racial, non-sexist and democratic,” Deputy President Mashatile said.
“It is because of their contribution we were able to vote in the 7th National and Provincial Elections, in which more than 16 million South Africans exercised their democratic right to vote without fear or intimidation.
The results of the 29 May 2024 election which saw the governing ANC lose its majority and only poll slightly more than 40 percent has led to the formation of a GNU.
On the 14th of June, South Africa witnessed the ushering in of the 7th Parliament through the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
“More importantly we elected two women whom we are confident will lead our parliament to greater heights,” the deputy president said.
“Equally we witness the very motto of our country being put into practical action, unity in diversity.
“In our diversity, we put our differences and voted for the President-elect, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We are confident that under President Ramaphosa and the ANC-led Government of National Unity, we will continue to address the challenges facing young people in this country.”
The latest statistics show that joblessness is affecting youths the most.
Stats SA indicates a 45,5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15-34 years), in contrast to the national average of 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024.
“In this regard, we will in the next five years focus on creating jobs, building an inclusive and growing economy,” Deputy President Mashatile said.
“We will equally focus on implementing programmes focusing on skilling the youth with the skills of the future.”
Dignitaries in attendance at the Youth Day event included; the Acting Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Maropene Ramokgopa; Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola; Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, newly elected Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, and NYDA Chairperson Asanda Luwaca.
*All photos by GCIS
