Independent News reports that Youth Day on Tuesday saw the 44th commemoration of the Soweto uprisings by students opposed to the apartheid government.  Political parties called on the government to reflect on the escalating joblessness of young people in the country and effective ways to mitigate that.  

The EFF lamented that the youth, including graduates, were trapped in hopelessness and depression as they dominated the ranks of the unemployed due to a lack of inward industrial development.  The party said youth unemployment could be reduced through legislative enforcement of employment quotas in both the public and private sector.  ANC National Youth Task Team spokesperson Sizophila Mkhize said conditions for millions had yet to improve, despite the sacrifices made by the previous generations.  “We were told that education is the key that opens up the doors of success, but we are seated with thousands of unemployed and unemployable graduates,” Mkhize said.  Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the federation wanted the government to intervene and help the many young workers who entered the labour market with an albatross of historical debt around their necks, largely acquired through student loans.  According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the government was doing its bit, despite continuing economic challenges, to uplift the youth through the provision of education and training opportunities, as well as job and business opportunities.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siviwe Feketha at Independent News
• Read too, Youth aggrieved by a lack of teaching jobs, at SowetanLive

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