Incoming government needs to streamline programmes for the youth

The Weekend View

As we celebrate Youth Day, it's a sharp reminder that South Africa has one of the highest youth unemployment rates globally, with 61% of those aged 15-24 and 40% of those aged 25-34 being very vulnerable. Young people face unique challenges when it comes to finding their place in the world. Some of the challenges youth in South Africa face include high levels of unemployment, limited access to quality education, economic inequality, crime rates, and social issues, such as substance abuse and violence. Additionally, they may encounter psychological and emotional stressors related to these challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. This year marks the 48th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, when young people protested against the Bantu Education Act, which enforced Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools and apartheid laws that oppressed black South Africans. TODAYS' commemoration is held under theme "Actively advancing socio-economic gains of our democracy". Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Tessa Dooms , Political analyst and Director of Programmes at the Rivonia Circle and Anele Satsha, Head of Economic Policy & Research and the SA Youth Economic Council (SAYEC)