Local and global trends show that young people are in dire straits as the job market is unable to absorb them. At the same time, this trend says we are sitting on a ticking bomb. These are excitable people prone to incitement into thuggery and rebellion if nothing real and concrete is done for them.
In his latest contribution in the media, BMD vice president Ndaba Gaolathe made a point that must resonate with us all, regardless of political affiliation: "When students and young children grow up, in a system that tells them opportunity exists only when you are part of the ruling elite, as a high government or ruling party operative, then you know our system is broken...". For the youth in particular, including those in the ruling party, I differ here with Gaolathe. Many of our youth are mere cheer leaders in politics and industry. They have no significant input into the actual programmes that determine important outcomes of opportunity and development. This is something we must do differently as a country.
