Erin McCluskey
Period 6
Ms Bennett
World Literature Honors
Where the Future Lies
A young man’s feet indent red dirt under a crumbling hay roof. He trudges out the door of his shack, through the city, and into a factory. Step by step he ascends the rusty staircase and knocks on the wooden door. As he knocks, an old man opens the door and he hands him a torn resume. The young man looks longingly and as the old man shakes his head and turns away. The young man retraces his steps to his home in the country. Once again, he has lost hope. His entire family has lost hope. Yet it is hope that keeps them alive. He sits down on the dirt floor and sighs.
The unemployment crisis of the youth in South Africa increasingly worsens as time goes on and leaves the nation pleading for answers. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently announced that youth unemployment in the country has fallen to 36.1% - a 3.4% drop since 2008 (Dawjee).
This poses a large threat to both the social and economic stability of South Africa. It is becoming increasingly difficult for South Africa’s youth to obtain work and the government is working to bringing employment rates up, for it is essential for the future of South Africa. A decade ago, a person with a high school degree had a 50 percent chance of getting a job. Today, that figure is 30 percent (Hayes).
Many people believe that the main driving factor behind the staggering unemployment rates is lack of available training and education. Unemployed youth are characterized by their lack of employability resulting from a range of socio-economic factors. They often have low levels of education, have dropped out of school and invariably do not have the literacy, numeracy and communication skills needed in the labor market (Hayes).
However, many youth who do hold qualification for employment do not manage to get a job. This is because of the lack of overall employment opportunities available. In 2011, the National Treasury suggested that the high rate of youth unemployment was a result of insufficient demand within the labor market to meet the rising number of young job seekers entering each year (Hayes).
Entrepreneurship is another possible answer to the unemployment crisis. By creating more youth entrepreneurs and youth owned business, the job market increases and more jobs are available to the large unemployed portion of the population. South African government statistics show that small businesses currently contribute 57 percent to the country’s gross domestic product and account for 56 percent of employment, 77 percent in the “informal sector” (UN).
A young man wakes up and walks to school. He is determined to earn money to feed his children. The future of South Africa lies in his hands.
Works Cited:
Dawjee, Haji M. "Youth, Unemployment and the South African Dream." The M&G Online. N.p., 11 June 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.
"Entrepreneurship Provides an Answer to Youth Unemployment in South Africa - Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth." UN News Center. UN, 29 Sept. 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.
Hayes, Stephen. "South Africa's Ticking Time Bomb." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 7 July 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2015.
Your introduction is a great hook into your article. The description makes you really picture the scene. This connects with here in the US and the unemployment problems we sometimes face.
ReplyDeleteWill the unemployment rates continue to worsen or begin to improve?
ReplyDeleteI thought that your intro and hook were really interesting because I wanted to continue reading to find out what was going to happen. I think that overall your paper was very strong. This connects to the unemployment problems that many different people around the world are facing. How do you think that the unemployment rates will be impacted throughout the course of the next couple years.
ReplyDeleteYour opening really made me want to read on! Many of us think about unemployment issues in America, but how disheartening to hear that the unemployment rate is so high for youth in South Africa. As you say, the future is in their hands. I wonder what is adding to the increasing rate?
ReplyDeleteWow I really liked you opening! It is so well done! Overall this was amazing article, and I really like how it flowed so smoothly. I was wondering however, how we could change this situation without forcing our Western Ideals and culture onto these people?
ReplyDeleteThe hook was a great way of showing the horrible youth unemployment in South Africa. I like how you explain the factors of unemployment, lack of education and lack of job opportunities, but you also go into some answers to the crisis, such as entrepreneurship. Youth unemployment is extremely different in the US, because of the many jobs and better education we receive here. What are some of the long-term impacts of youth unemployment to society and economy? What are some other ways to reduce unemployment?
ReplyDeleteYou introduction is really engaging because it made me want to continue reading. I like how it connects to your conclusion. I think that the problem of unemployment connects not only to South Africa but with people around the world facing unemployment.
ReplyDeleteI found your intro engaging but a bit long. I enjoyed the statistics that you used. It is so sad to see how South Africa is having such a struggle with being employed. It is also sad to see how this is an affect to them being un educated. I think you did a good job showing this. What do you think the main contributor to unemployment is?
ReplyDelete