Johnathan Paoli
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has expressed his support for both President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa and the planned coalition government and said the country would continue to address the challenges faced by the youth.
Mashatile gave the keynote address at the official 48th Youth Day Anniversary at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, following an expo showcasing opportunities relating to skills training, leadership, bursaries, careers and entrepreneurship.
The Deputy President, accompanied by several ministers as well as the newly elected Limpopo premier Phopi Ramathuba, reflected on the impact of the Soweto uprising and the growth and challenges of the youth since then.
Mashatile said the concerns of the youth feature high in the list of priorities facing the seventh administration.
“In this regard, we will in the next five years, focus on creating jobs and building an inclusive and growing economy. We will equally focus on implementing a programme focused on skilling youth with the skills of the future,” he said.
Young people require work opportunities, and considering their majority in terms of the general population, overcoming their obstacles remains crucial for the country at large, he said.
“Therefore, we cannot move forward without them, without the youth of our country,” Mashatile said while he acknowledged the challenges facing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and promised to make sure the scheme is administered efficiently.
He added that the scheme is a critical vehicle of support, in light of 70% of university students and more than 90% of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students being supported by NSFAS.
Mashatile praised the state’s investment in youth human capital development, and said more than R31.8 billion has been injected into basic education in 2023 and R130.1 billion for post-secondary education training in 2022.
“As the government, we want to see more young people actively involved in the economy and participating in decisions that affect their lives. This time around, young people have a government that cares for, prioritises their needs, and wants to see them succeed, unlike the government of 1976,” he said.
Newly-elected Limpopo premier Ramathuba urged the youth to tackle their social ills and grab every opportunity that comes their way.
She highlighted the need for innovative approaches, such as technology integration and equal access to quality education for all.
Ramathuba stressed the importance of addressing the current education system’s inequalities and limitations to ensure a brighter future for the country.
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