Yaa Ashantewaa Archer-Ngidi, the founder and Director of Afrokology at the Durban University of Technology, was one of the guest speakers at the University of Zululand’s recent graduation ceremonies.
Sharing her life story, she encouraged graduates to ‘create, innovate and master’ as they start their journey to fulfil their dreams.
Hers was an address designed not only to give the young adults hope for the future, but also to remember who they are and where they come from.
One could observe the satisfaction and sense of achievement on the faces of the ululating parents who must have sacrificed everything to make sure that their children carve out a new and better life to the one they find themselves in.
A sense of accomplishment could be seen on the faces of the lecturers whose guidance gave us a new crop of future leaders.
It was indeed heart-warming to see our university contributing to the well-being of our nation by making sure that it produces captains who will take this land forward. However, it also ushers in a season of despair to many as the reality of finding that elusive job begins.
Revolving door
Many will go through the revolving door to swell the ranks of the unemployed and desperate.
Some will find solace in mind-altering substances and all of us will gasp and say ‘what loss of potential’ when we see another generation going to waste.
When that self-destruction shows its ugly face, we sometimes ignore the root cause and simply deal with the symptom.
The contradictions in our country are overwhelming.
On the one hand we strive to fight illiteracy, while on the other unemployment escalates.
If there is one thing that we all need to agree upon, it is the fight against unemployment.
It is an undeniable fact that the government alone cannot be expected to stem the tide.
Corporate South Africa must come on board and play the role that is expected of it.
Academia should be given space and their role should be accorded the respect it deserves.
It is for that reason then that the government should create an enabling environment in which all stakeholders feel they are part of the solution.
Everyone must realise that underdevelopment is the mother of creativity.
Our young people should be empowered to unleash that innovation and master their areas of interest.
It is our common responsibility to avoid multiple lost generations – and that can only be realised if we put our differences aside and work together.
