The youth employment initiatives and progress
highlighted in Sona 2024 have been criticized for falling short. The
president's reflection on the past 30 years seemed more like staring into the
rear-view mirror, with little focus on overcoming current challenges. Despite
acknowledging the alarming levels of youth unemployment, there was a lack of
concrete strategies to address it. Vague references to employment opportunities
left many wondering about the nature and sustainability of these jobs,
particularly concerning sectors, provinces, and gender disparities.
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The role of both the private sector and the
government in tackling youth unemployment remained unclear. Load shedding, a
persistent issue impacting businesses, especially SMEs and youth-owned
enterprises, was mentioned briefly without addressing its detrimental effects.
A proposed initiative to combat load shedding and a comparison between its
current state and that of a year ago were sorely missed.
While infrastructure opportunities were touted, concerns
lingered about the active involvement of youth in these projects. The extension
and "improvement" of the SRD grant raised questions about its
long-term sustainability and the risk of fostering dependency.
Despite the president's optimism, the reality of youth
unemployment paints a bleaker picture. The address lacked specificity on
crucial issues such as corruption, unemployment, service delivery, and crime
rates, which are intertwined with economic growth.
The mention of involving the private sector in growth
initiatives hinted at expansionary fiscal policies, but the details remained
elusive. Addressing the stagnant economic growth rate and attracting foreign
investment necessitates overcoming logistical and infrastructural hurdles,
particularly those plaguing entities like Transnet.
The absence of a new Transnet CEO announcement further
disappointed observers. Additionally, the funding mechanisms for National
Health Insurance and potential tax implications were glossed over, leaving many
questioning the government's fiscal plans.
Despite these shortcomings, hopes remain pinned on the
promised 'energy revolution' and initiatives like the Climate Change Response
Fund to generate employment opportunities and address infrastructure
challenges. However, tangible actions are needed to translate plans into
reality. Says Jurgen Eckmann.