City dialogues give youth a platform to chart the future
21 June 2017
The lack of access to education funding, corruption, nepotism, mismatched skills, inexperience and weak social and professional networks were holding the country back despite the many changes in South Africa since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
This was the general view expressed by the youth who took part in a series of youth dialogues hosted by the City of Johannesburg’s Region F in partnership with the Youth Lab, Imbizo ka Bhambatha and the University of Johannesburg at the Workers’ Museum in Newtown on Tuesday June 20. More than 60 students and youth participated in the dialogues.
Led by Regional Director Irene Mafune and her team, the dialogues sought to unpack and tackle socio-political and economic issues facing young South Africans today. They also focused on challenges such as youth unemployment, race and racism, and the lack of youth empowerment.
Mafune said the dialogues, which came shortly after the 41st anniversary of the June 16 1976 Soweto uprising, were important to counter narratives that portrayed youth as lazy and feeling entitled.
She said the aim of gaining insight into how youth in Johannesburg perceived issues such as race, youth unemployment and youth empowerment, was to create innovative strategies the City and civil society organisations could use to improve young people’s participation in programmes in their communities.
Participants were divided into three groups that discussed how entrepreneurship could impact on youth employment and reduce poverty. They also discussed the impact of race and racism on youth development. The groups identified challenges holding them back and solutions to help break that cycle.
They said race and racism remained stumbling blocks for many poor people. The participants said the youth needed to empower themselves with relevant information and skills. At the same time, all spheres of government needed to tap into youth talent and develop it.
Student Nkosinathi Ntini said such dialogues were an eye-opener. “After the session on how race impacts youth empowerment, I have a clearer understanding that there are levels of racism. I understand how prejudice and discrimination hold us back and it’s important for us to educate ourselves about such things.”
The participants agreed that young people needed to be heard and be proactive in the crafting economic policies that benefit young entrepreneurs. Partnerships and improved communication would go a long way, they added.
Mafune thanked all the participants, who included Imbizo ka Bhambatha and Youth Lap. “We need passionate youth to serve your communities. Youth have a role in nation building. These dialogues are about ongoing issues in society and they should help create an environment in which young people can speak freely about the South Africa they want to see.”
The Youth Lab, a policy think-tank, provides various platforms for young people and decision-makers to exchange ideas, develop strategies and execute plans to enhance the lives of young South Africans.
Imbizo ka Bhambatha is a youth dialogue platform created by youth to engage in various socioeconomic issues.
The UJ Community Engagement unit, headed by Andy Balaram, works with the City on several projects in which at least 16 000 students volunteer at hospitals, orphanages, old age homes and NGOs as well as in clean-up and other campaigns.