Time for the Youth to Rediscover Their Militancy and Voices

Edwin Naidu

South Africa observes June 16 on Monday, the day when youth revolted against Afrikaans as a compulsory school subject. Three decades into democracy, Afrikaans is entrenched as one of the country’s official languages, almost five decades after the fight against it. 

Ironically, Afrikaners remain in control of the economy, education, and media, with a significant presence in most learning institutions and the country’s major media houses, including Media24 and MultiChoice (currently being sold to a French company). 

Through fake news about a genocide which does not exist, Afrikaners also enjoy the remaining ear that snipers missed off US President Donald Trump. So far, 49 people deemed failed car guards and their ilk on social media platforms have been given asylum based on a phoney war against Afrikaners. 

The war is in the racist minds, propagated by the likes of AfriForum, which seems emboldened after the ANC’s 2024 knock at the polls, resulting in a Government of National Unity. So much for Jacob Zuma’s once boastful quip that the ANC would rule until Jesus comes.

Of course, there’s a greater chance of the ANC being out of power before Jesus comes in the next election than the NPA’s ineffective Shamilla Batohi bringing in the Guptas to account for the millions they obtained under Zuma. However, the man from Nkandla appears to have amnesia about state capture. 

Under the presidencies of Mandela, Mbeki, Mothlante, Zuma, and now Cyril Ramaphosa, subsequent governments have adopted a pro-poor stance while enriching themselves, the party and friends. A new black middle class has emerged under democracy, along with a black elite, some of whom are now close to the ruling party. 

A story circulates that the ANC, bereft of leadership and lacking ideas, wants Patrice Motsepe to bankroll the party back into power. Whether or not it’s true, it's another sign of a party in decline. Since the Mandela euphoria over democracy, everything hinges on whether the country is keeping its promise of a better life for all. 

Another burning question is whether political greed is failing the youth? Ditto: women? Ditto: Heritage: Ditto: the Constitution? The conduct of politicians hardly inspires confidence. While South Africans remain mired in poverty, politicians in the GNU used R200 million of taxpayer money on expensive overseas travels. High-flier Deputy President Paul Mashatile alone spent more than R2 million on his travels. One wonders if he is making up for lost time, having joined the gravy train late.

 The government established Sector Education and Training Authorities to equip young people with the skills needed to address chronic unemployment. Unfortunately, there is no narrative about the success of SETAs. 

Under the former Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, SETAs were filled with boards comprising comrades from the Struggle, whose disastrous impact has hindered skills training but enriched many through unscrupulous means, without facing the consequences. Half of the country’s 21 SETAs previously received adverse audits from the Auditor-General when Nzimande was in charge. 

Most alarming, however, is that the SETAs were meant to transform the fortunes of the country’s youth. Instead, it enriched those running SETAs and their associates. 

His successor, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, a former deputy under Gwede Mantashe, angered political rivals when she appointed the son of her former boss as a SETA Chair before protests forced her to withdraw the decision. She claimed an advisory board helped her make the choice, but in an age of transparency, she showed none, resulting in the president putting pressure on the gum-chewing Minister to do the right thing.

 Politics is about serving the citizens of South Africa, not the party and friends. Politicians must put the people first. However, Nkabane undermines citizens by having a non-existent advisory board where a real board of experts could have helped ensure that South Africa’s youth finally benefit from the skills revolution. 

Former higher education ministers had advisors whose counsel they trusted. Nkabane must secure the help of many learned people available. Otherwise, the comrades will lead her astray. 

Nkabane has highlighted the pressing issue of youth unemployment, insisting that SETAS must respond to the rapid pace of industry change. 

However, suppose she needed reminding of the dire need to transform the fortunes of youth. In that case, it will not come from youth pensioners such as Julius Malema, Fikile Mbalula, or the recently put to pasture Floyd Shivambu. 

The answer lies in the voices of young people who are fed up with political rhetoric, not just the noise from the trio of former youth league officials.

 According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) for Q1 2025, young people aged 15 to 34, around 10,3 million individuals, face the highest barriers to entering the workforce. Over the past ten years, youth unemployment has remained persistently high.

June 16 is seen as a day when the youth of 1976 stood courageously against apartheid. Their bravery pushed South Africa's journey towards democracy, and their legacy continues to inspire generations. Does it?

There’s apathy. There are also pointless slogans that do not bring about significant change. Youth Month’s theme is  ‘Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.’ However, Statistics SA's reflection that nothing much has changed for youth over the past decade concerning employment is telling. 

Like the youth of 1976, the generation of 2025 must reclaim the future with a youth reset, not await handouts from the fading liberators who only care about the party, themselves, and their friends. Youth must find their voice, not politicians, telling them what is good for them, while enabling the party or their friends to get rich or die trying to help South Africa's forgotten youth.

* Edwin Naidu is a communications professional and the founder of Higher Education Media Services.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.