IDLENESS A MAJOR CONCERN

Sir,

The soft underbelly of the country’s sluggish and stagnant economy is poverty and unemployment. Poverty and high unemployment figures, coupled with apparent lack of sustainable development, have contributed to the country’s crumbling economy.

The stress and strain of the increasing unemployment of the youth in the country is disturbing. The unemployed consist of, but not limited to the youth, most of whom loiter around the streets with their qualifications, much to their dismay; because government declared it won’t hire new staff, after the IMF had, on several occasions, warned government to cut its wage bill which has reached unsustainable levels.

The socio-economic quagmire which the unemployed youth finds itself in has been exacerbated by politicians’ rocketing salaries. Unless we challenge the personality-based system, the obtaining socio-political mire will bask in its reflected glory, with the stranded youth resorting to crime and other morally unacceptable behaviour.

Seemingly, we have forgotten about the ever increasing unemployed youth which, in all honesty, should remain the centre of our focus. We are showing no determined efforts, as a country, to curb the high unemployment figures, except for government’s reckless and irresponsible spending.
Sadly, in an effort to generate revenue, government bites off more than the taxpayer can chew.

It’s easy to think they should seek money from the Youth Enterprise Fund, when the procedures involved in applying for the funds are tedious and time consuming. The fund was set up in 2008 to reduce unemployment through engaging the youth in wider economic and commercial activities to create wealth and the employment of others.

The fund is tardy in its assessment and approval of the application forms which drag for some months, and the net result is that not all applicants have their applications considered successful. What should the youth do to circumvent this unemployment ordeal? For one to start a business, he or she needs capital to streamline its operation, so where else can they get the capital? Government must start considering this issue seriously.

Simanga Shabangu

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