The Youthful Lie in South Africa

The South African reality is bleak, especially for South Africa’s youth. For most, South Africa is a grimdark fantasy, where riches are to beheld, but never obtained. The spell cast upon the Youth, has perpetuated the idea that the exit to their bleak paradigm is through Education, however this is far from the truth.

The importance of education is instilled within South African youth early, usually with the following line (or something in line with this): “ You need to obtain a degree, you won’t get a good job without it,”. This line is usually followed by an older individual instructing the youth on how the South African reality has ‘changed’, how there has been a massive shift between their generation and the present.

In most respects this is true. The South African reality has indeed changed, the time of our parents has long since past. A time when a Matric was the bare minimum required to enter the working force.

Now it is different, for now it is worse.

On the 4th of June, Stats Sa released shocking numbers for youth unemployment. Reporting that the unemployment rate for South African youth was at 63,3% (Youth still find it difficult to secure jobs in South Africa | Statistics South Africa, 2021).

To say that these results are disturbing would be a gross understatement; these results are revolting. Such a low unemployment rate for youth is shameful for any nation, but for South Africa, even more so. We are currently in June, on the cusp of the 45th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. A day which marks the youth of South Africa, sick of repression, taking a stand against the oppression of the Apartheid regime. Taking a stand for a better future. We live in that future, this is the reality they fought for, and this is what we have to show for it?

While our leaders fight over the millions stolen from the people, the youth suffer, and we will continue to suffer. The individuals in charge of this nation care not for the struggles of the youth, because why should they? The Youth hardly vote, they never make up the majority of wealth (even if we existed in a reality where they could obtain employment), and they don’t have the standing of other age groups to sway opinions. To the South Africa ruling class, the youth is expendable.

Our commander in chief, Cyril Ramaphosa, will make a speech on the 16th of June to mark the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, but he will not be speaking to us, the youth. No, Cyril will be speaking to his voter base, trying to assure them that the South African reality can recover, and for those individuals. For the individuals who already possess a semblance of wealth, and standing - things will get better. For everyone else? Things will only continue to decline. This does not only apply to South Africa’s youth, but to everyone who currently suffers in the wake of Governmental inadequacies .

We will only continue to decline.

References:

Statssa.gov.za. 2021. Youth still find it difficult to secure jobs in South Africa | Statistics South Africa. [online] Available at: <http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=14415> [Accessed 11 June 2021].