There has been an uproar over the high number of young people who are not ashamed of the Youth Day celebrations in the country yesterday, which were celebrated by different political parties. On this day, which commemorates the event of June 16, 1976, when the youth rose up and fought against the teaching of the Afrikaans language in local schools, the youth were urged not to be complacent but to rise up and vote.
At the national celebration held at Nasrec in Johannesburg, the chairman of the South African National Youth Development Agency, Dr. Sunshine Myende, told the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, that he must identify youth unemployment as a crisis in the country.
He said this problem is causing doubts among young people who have given up hope and are looking for a job. He complained about the barriers that prevent young people from finding jobs as the experience of young people who are looking for work is needed.
“Youth unemployment has not been identified as a disaster. Students who have graduated have not been given their qualifications so that they can find a job, and be able to pay the institutions they owe,” he said.
Ramaphosa lamented the high rate of youth unemployment in the country.
“The rate of youth unemployment in this country is 46%. It is unacceptable that many young people in the country are unemployed. There are plans made by the government to deal with this problem. We cannot criticize people from other countries for the challenge facing the country of youth unemployment.”
He listed many things that the government is doing, including funding for studying in educational institutions through NSFAS, the school feeding program, those who study in schools that do not have to pay at all, as well as the allowance for the poor.
EFF leader Mr. Julius Malema, who was speaking at the State Houses in Pretoria, urged the youth to turn out and vote for freedom. He complained about many things that he said he wants to be changed in the country so that young people can benefit.
“Young people did not stand up to vote. Job opportunities were not created for young people to find jobs.”
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said young people will not have a voice if they do not vote. Speaking in Durban, he said it was important for young people to register to vote.
“The youth of 1976, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this event, stood up and fought against things they did not agree with. They refused to accept the government’s orders. That is why it should be a reminder now that the event of 1976 brought about changes in the country. Stand up, express your anger by voting.”
MKP leader Jacob Zuma complained about the ANC for taking sides with the whites as it cooperates with them.
He said they tried to be part of the government but they were ignored, they were rejected and they could not enter.
“The youth we remember from 1976, fought against the whites and did not want to learn Afrikaans. We want to take over the land of our grandfathers. Many people are the ones who must run the country,” he said while speaking in Mpumalanga.