LETTER TO THE EDITOR | South Africa’s youth are being left behind, and that’s why they’re not voting | News24

Most economists expect growth to be around 4% to 5% this year.

Many refuse to take part as they are of the view that not much is being done within their respective communities to develop the youth and support their business ventures, writes Tshireletso Gaolaolwe (25) in Bloemfontein. 

The youth simply needs to be treated with importance and as capable of taking the country to greater heights.

The youth has lost its faith in the government and all leading structures, this can be seen with vaccination statistics of persons between the ages of 18-34. There have been countless pleas with governing structures to invest in the country’s youth with the aim of easing the transition from higher learning institutions to the working sector in and out of the republic. 

These pleas have not been met and can therefore be seen in the ever-rising number of unemployed graduates, which is constantly blamed on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. 

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Is there a plan in place to empower the leaders of tomorrow and equip them with the necessary skills to compete with their counterparts beyond the republic?  

Not only should we use the vaccination process as an example, but also the statistics of registered voters for the upcoming local elections. Many refuse to take part as they are of the view that not much is being done within their respective communities to develop the youth and support their business ventures which would in return contribute positively to the economy and better livelihoods. This should be an integral part of service delivery due to our people.

– Tshireletso Gaolaolwe is a candidate attorney who lives in Brandwag, Bloemfontein, Free State. 

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