June 16: A legacy of struggle, a prosperous future unfulfilled

IOL News

11-06-2025

Township residents and schoolchildren re-enact the 1976 Soweto uprising.
Image: Picture: AP
Given the brunt of poverty, inequality and unemployment that young people perpetually face in this country, it is legitimate to ask what it is that we are expecting an increasingly impoverished and disenfranchised youth to celebrate this Youth Month.
Are we merely paying lip service to the legacy of the class of '76, or are we genuinely committed to addressing the systemic challenges that young people are currently facing?
As we commemorate the sacrifices of the class of '76, we must equally ask ourselves: What are WE celebrating? Is it merely the bravery of the past, or are we also acknowledging the failures of the present?
It's been 49 years since the brave students of 1976 stood up against the apartheid regime's attempt to impose Afrikaans as the language of instruction in black schools.
Their determination and sacrifice sparked a national movement that would change the course of South African history.
As Seth Mazibuko, one of the courageous committee members who coordinated the June 16 uprising so eloquently, puts it, in a reflective conversation, 'The memory of the moment of the 16th of June 1976 forever sits in my heart and my mind. It felt like an awakening of a generation.
''A moment in history where, regardless of gender, age, geography, and ethnicity, the mission was one: To say enough! to injustice, segregation and indignity in both the education system at the time as well as society at large.
'We were very organised, and what most people may not be aware of was that this day was secretly well planned in a very short space of time to reach thousands of students across the country. While we knew that this was a cause much bigger than ourselves, we were determined to no longer put up with the oppression which our parents seemed too demoralised to do anything about.'
'What is now heartbreaking to witness in 2025 is how many of the struggles we fought for, which claimed thousands of lives, still plague today's youth. How is this possible?'
The students' fight was not solely about language, but very much about equality and human rights. Thousands lost their lives in the ensuing violence, but their legacy lives on. Yet, as stated by Mr Mazibuko, despite the progress we've made as a nation, many of the same struggles that were hard fought for continue to persist. To this day, South Africa's youth face unprecedented challenges, and the numbers are stark.
According to the Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey, in the first quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate for young people aged 15-34 stood at 46.2% overall, with a staggering 62.4% for those aged 15-24.
The Not in Employment, Education, and Training (NEET) trajectory is a particular concern. Of the 10.3 million young people aged 15-24 years in Q1 of 2025, 37.1% of this number fell into this category. This translates to a significant portion of our youth being disconnected from opportunities that could help them build a better future.
It is important to note that these alarming figures are more than just statistics; they represent a lost generation of young people who are being left behind. Without access to the prerequisite knowledge, skills and platforms necessary to develop their capacities, young people are more likely to fall prey to poverty, crime, and social unrest. Thereby signalling the alarm bells of a country in crisis.
Our education system also finds itself in a critical juncture. Of the learners who start Grade 1, around 40% will drop out before they complete matric. This contributes to the year-on-year increase in the NEET cluster, with dire long-term consequences for our economy and individuals directly affected by it.
It goes without saying that as individuals get older, their prospects for development diminish, and their fullest potential remains unfulfilled.
Tebogo Suping is a sustainable development specialist with extensive experience in leading national and regional youth empowerment, governance and civic education programmes.
Image: Supplied
In addition, the cycle of poverty, inequality, and unemployment continues to burden our youth. Many are disillusioned, and their potential is being wasted. Our prisons are filling up with young people, primarily black and male, who are either perpetrators or once victims of violent crime themselves. These are no doubt symptoms of a failing state that is unequivocally failing its youth, and the list of these countless socio-economic disparities goes on and on, begging the critical question of what kind of future we are building for our young people
This is because while our government claims to stand for non-racist, non-sexist and democratic ideals, the reality on the ground tells a much different story, and to turn this tide, we need a multifaceted approach that prioritises government accountability and transparency.
How might we solve these pressing issues?
Rooting out state corruption is essential to ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to address the growing challenges faced by our youth. This includes implementing targeted interventions that provide education, training, and decent work tailored to the needs of young people.
Moreover, collaboration and partnership are crucial between the government, civil society, and the private sector to provide mentorship, skills development, and meaningful job opportunities that can help young people build a better future.
By investing in our youth, we can unlock their potential and create a more prosperous and equitable society.