Tired of all the same old politicians crowding the scene this election? In our series of interviews with young activists from various parties taking part in the May 7 elections we give you a heads up on some people who may one day be our country's leaders, in our parliament and our legislatures.
Name: Nkosinathi Nkosi
Age: 25
Nkosinathi Nkosi, 25, from Orlando East in Soweto used unemployment as motivation to do something about his life.
He completed his matric in 2007 and could not afford to study further, he then applied for employment and bursaries.
It was in 2009 that he received a bursary from the Campus of Performing Arts where he received a certificate for studying Live Event and Technical Production.
Now that he had a qualification, he thought finding employment would be easy but that was not so.
“It was very hard when I could not find employment. I wasn’t getting any younger and I too wanted to help around with finances at home,” he said.
Nkosinathi says he approached a number of recruitment agencies but that too did not help.
“I did not work for about two years, I kept applying and applying for jobs but nothing came through,” he said.
Nkosinathi says the ANC as a government should create jobs for the youth but they have failed them.
He says organisations like the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) did not help because there are too many people who need help from it.
In 2012 Nkosinathi received a bursary from Lebone College to study to be a Paramedic, he graduated this year and even though with his due qualification, employment is not yet guaranteed.
DA Gauteng Premier Candidate Mmusi Maimane says that should the DA come to power in the upcoming elections, they have measures in place that will curb the current youth unemployment problem.
“We want to increase the quality of education in our schools so that our youth are employable,” he said.
Maimane also says that the DA is going to equip young entrepreneurs so they can be able to grow their businesses and sustain themselves.
He says the DA is going to have workshops for budding entrepreneurs to again strengthen them while they study or are running their business.
The ANC Youth League Spokesperson Bandile Masuku says the latest additions to the ANC’s manifesto will be able to help curb unemployment and place graduates.
“Some of the measures in place are Community Service Programs. These are measures where graduates are encouraged to do community service,” he said.
Masuku says that if the youth engage in community services they are equipping themselves with the needed practical experience.
“The ANC is also in the process of expanding the FET sector, he said.
More FET colleges will be built so that more people who don’t find space at universities can study further.
In the State of the Nation Address President Jacob Zuma said that 650 000 jobs were created in 2013.
Statistics from South Africa info show that approximately 550 000 matriculants sat in 2012 to write their final examination, that number continues to rise every year (Education in South Africa).
Statistics South Africa showed in 2012 that about 4,244 million people in South Africa were unemployed. (South Africa's jobless numbers - Sowetan LIVE)
With the coming elections people like Nkosi hope the government will deliver on their promises and create jobs.
Government must deliver on their promises and create jobs
Tired of all the same old politicians crowding the scene this election? In our series of interviews with young activists from various parties taking part in the May 7 elections we give you a heads up on some people who may one day be our country's leaders, in our parliament and our legislatures.
Name: Nkosinathi Nkosi
Age: 25
Nkosinathi Nkosi, 25, from Orlando East in Soweto used unemployment as motivation to do something about his life.
He completed his matric in 2007 and could not afford to study further, he then applied for employment and bursaries.
It was in 2009 that he received a bursary from the Campus of Performing Arts where he received a certificate for studying Live Event and Technical Production.
Now that he had a qualification, he thought finding employment would be easy but that was not so.
“It was very hard when I could not find employment. I wasn’t getting any younger and I too wanted to help around with finances at home,” he said.
Nkosinathi says he approached a number of recruitment agencies but that too did not help.
“I did not work for about two years, I kept applying and applying for jobs but nothing came through,” he said.
Nkosinathi says the ANC as a government should create jobs for the youth but they have failed them.
He says organisations like the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) did not help because there are too many people who need help from it.
In 2012 Nkosinathi received a bursary from Lebone College to study to be a Paramedic, he graduated this year and even though with his due qualification, employment is not yet guaranteed.
DA Gauteng Premier Candidate Mmusi Maimane says that should the DA come to power in the upcoming elections, they have measures in place that will curb the current youth unemployment problem.
“We want to increase the quality of education in our schools so that our youth are employable,” he said.
Maimane also says that the DA is going to equip young entrepreneurs so they can be able to grow their businesses and sustain themselves.
He says the DA is going to have workshops for budding entrepreneurs to again strengthen them while they study or are running their business.
The ANC Youth League Spokesperson Bandile Masuku says the latest additions to the ANC’s manifesto will be able to help curb unemployment and place graduates.
“Some of the measures in place are Community Service Programs. These are measures where graduates are encouraged to do community service,” he said.
Masuku says that if the youth engage in community services they are equipping themselves with the needed practical experience.
“The ANC is also in the process of expanding the FET sector, he said.
More FET colleges will be built so that more people who don’t find space at universities can study further.
In the State of the Nation Address President Jacob Zuma said that 650 000 jobs were created in 2013.
Statistics from South Africa info show that approximately 550 000 matriculants sat in 2012 to write their final examination, that number continues to rise every year (Education in South Africa).
Statistics South Africa showed in 2012 that about 4,244 million people in South Africa were unemployed. (South Africa's jobless numbers - Sowetan LIVE)
With the coming elections people like Nkosi hope the government will deliver on their promises and create jobs.
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