STHEMBISO Masikane slumps his shoulders in a look of defeat when he talks about the future of young people in his remote village of KwaDinda in eMakhabeleni, outside Greytown in KZN.
He said the lack of skills development was alarming.
“But what do you expect from an area that has only one school, and that is a primary school? That very same school is not even in good condition,” he lamented.
Sitting under the tree to protect ourselves from the scorching sun, he narrated to Daily Sun that there was not even a soccer field in the area.
KwaDinda is wedged between two mountains and looks over the uThukela River, which is a source of entertainment for the eMakhabeleni youth.
Entertainment for the youth
Sthembiso said the only available entertainment for the youth was fishing and swimming.
“As young people, we are asking for sports facilities. Since there is a lack of recreational facilities, we have more time to do wrong things. We also have challenges with alcohol and drug abuse,” he said.
He wishes agencies like the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) could come and advise the youth about how to start small businesses and support them.
He said only some are academically gifted, hence the need for skills development.
“Not all of us will get jobs. NYDA can teach us skills like making building blocks, bricklaying, baking and other skills. We yearn for advice on how to get funding to start businesses from such skills,” he said.
Local economic development
To highlight the lack of economic development, only one taxi goes to town at 7am and comes back from town at 4pm.
Sthembiso continued to narrate to Daily Sun that the impact of not having electricity led to the youth not being well informed because they don’t have access to TVs.
“We rely only on the radio for information. Unfortunately, the youth prefer to watch TV and streaming on social media than listening to the radio or reading newspapers,” he said.
Mbali Makhaye from eMadekeni shared the same sentiments regarding youth unemployment.
eMakhabeleni youth left behind
She said while the rest of the country was moving with the times regarding technology, the youth in eMakhabeleni needed to be included.
“Nowadays, companies use the online platforms to advertise jobs, yet we are restricted to access such because there is limited network in the area,” said Mbali.
She stated that the area was deprived of even piece jobs.
“Jobs are created when there is development. Here, nothing is happening. We are a forgotten village,” Mbali said.
