This year marks 45 years since the 1976 Soweto uprisings.
And 16 June is meant to reflect on the class of 1976’s fight for better education.
Although young people are now receiving better education, they’re facing a different kind of challenge – a lack of jobs.
Kamogelo Rakoma (23) from Diepkloof, Soweto, is studying towards a teaching degree.
Although she spends a lot of time on her books, she’s worried she may join the unemployment queue after graduation.
“It’s possible I might sit for five years without getting a job. I’ll take whatever comes,” Kamogelo told Daily Sun.
She said she completed an Early Childhood Development qualification in 2019, but has not got a job in that field. She then decided to do a degree in foundation phase with the hopes of landing a job.
“Those who’re doing various courses must keep studying, but shouldn’t rely heavily on their qualifications to get a job,” she said.
Dingane Mofokeng (23) from Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, doesn’t have any qualifications. He said working with his hands helps him put food on the table.
He works at the Art Centre Car Wash in Katlehong.
“I’ve been working at the car wash for a long time. I left school and started working at the car wash. I left school in grade 10,” he said.
“Some of the people I grew up with are working, some are still studying, while some are still around the kasi.”
He said that having done panel-beating briefly, he hoped to one day work with cars instead of just washing them.
Working alongside Dingane is Thuso Moloi (38), who was retrenched by a printing company in 2018.
“My brother and his friends started this car wash, so I joined them after school and on weekends.
“They ended up leaving it and I took over and ran it,” he said.
Thuso said although Youth Day should be celebrated, the day isn’t like it was before.
“It’s now just a public holiday. It‘is not like before. It doesn’t have that ‘thing’,” he said.
He said if there was a limit on the fun being had, people would remember the importance of Youth Day.
Lerato Mapheleba said: “Many young people died fighting for freedom. It has huge meaning. It should continue being celebrated because many young people fought for what we have today.
She said she only has matric and was lucky her partner taught her to sew.
“We started by making beads. We bought one sewing machine and were able to work and buy more machines,” she said.
“We opened TNL Traditional Store in Mosiliki, Katlehong.
“We sell traditional clothing, pyjamas, tracksuits and other items.”
Lerato’s partner, Sean Venge (32), said: “Nowadays you have to try something for yourself.
“You can even try selling something small and you’ll eventually grow bigger.
“For example, if you’re into carpentry and you don’t have material, you can sell eggs first and make money to buy the wood and whatever materials you might need.”
