This was expressed during a youth dialogue organised by the department in Kwa Nkcele where frustrated young people said they want skills to get jobs that will help them put food on the table.  They said the programmes were only conducted so the department could “pass” youth month and for reporting purposes – and were not done to assist them.

Resident Boyboy Mzukhona Jojo (30) said he was tired of receiving certificates that have little or no benefit at all.

“The Eastern Cape has a small number of industries and workplaces so most people look for employment opportunities in other provinces.  As much as we appreciate the effort, I think offering certificates without any proper placement plan is a waste of time,” he said.

Thought out

However, Vuyani Langa, Directorate of Youth Development in the Department of Social Development, said projects were thought out with young people in mind.

“For example, there is a bakery project in the area, and most people employed at the bakery are young people, who were equipped with baking and business management skills. The community of Kwa Nkcele is supplied with freshly-baked products that are distributed throughout the village by young people employed at the bakery,” he said.

Kwa Nkcele resident Fakazile Hlongwe said the bakery was not well managed and did not benefit the young people because it was a “hand-to-mouth project”.

“It is so painful to raise children with the hope that one day they will be independent but that doesn’t happen. We have to share the little we have with our adult children and their children due to unemployment,” Hlongwe said, adding that unemployment among the youth contributed to the high crime levels in the area.

An edited version of this story was published by The Star country edition.