Woke millennials of modern-day South Africa. You have probably- sometime during everyday life, while either browsing the net, catching a radio/TV news story or even reading a newspaper- come across reports of the increased costs of attending university. An undergraduate degree averages between R41 000-R53 000 in SA while residence and living costs span between R40 000-R50 000 per annum.
With the prospect of spending this much money on a paper offering no solid guarantee of employment; young people aren’t at fault for wondering whether education is really worth it at all. Stories abound of how SA’s number of graduates has risen and yet, they land in the job market to find other graduates who are still struggling to find employment.
According to a quarterly labour force survey released by Statistics South Africa, there were over 430 000 unemployed people in South Africa. An estimated 58% of them were between the ages of 15 and 34 years old. Stats SA said that the unemployment rate still remained at a high 7,3% for graduates out of the 433 000 people. That number has since risen to 27.6% in the first quarter of 2019.”
Those students who will not qualify for government funding and opt for study loans, will have to live with the possibility of a negative credit balance (such as an outstanding student loan). This, along with a lack of essential experience, negatively affects employability prospects.
The dawn of The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. Technology, the internet and Artificial Intelligence make it more possible for us to self-educate on industries we want to enter. However the risk of us losing our jobs to machines is increased as companies get to reduce spend by using machines to do certain jobs.
Affirmative action in South Africa seeks to ensure that qualified designated groups (black people, women and people with disabilities) have equal opportunities to employment and are equally represented in all job categories and levels of the workplace. However, as minor a population as they are, this action places white South Africans at a higher disadvantage to unemployment.
The silver lining to our cloud? Do yourself a favour and look up the following names:
Traditional University-Education Alumni
Koketso Marishane
Thabo Msibi
Musawenkosi Donia Saurombe
Musawenkosi Donia Saurombe.
Pic: Supplied
You might be confused after reading the opening statements of this piece now followed by the apparent praise for the same University/Education system. But wait, hear me out.
The world is full of options. This piece gives you just that. Not by seeking to sway you in any one direction but rather, to #EmpowerYou with information. To possibly help guide your decisions for your future after taking into consideration important factors such as family dynamics, individual passions, the graduate employment rate, the cost of university courses, entrepreneurial opportunities that will be available to you post-university; as well as financial and academic capabilities-All things that contribute to your life choices and results thereof.
Remember to look up some SchoolOfLife attendees too:
SchoolOfLife Alumni:
Justin Stanford
Bonang Matheba
Siya Kolisi
Brian Sphelele Mchunu
Brian Sphelele Mchunu
Pic: Supplied
- YOCO
- For new entrepreneurs
- Mihlali N & Marsai Martin
- Motivation to turn passions into a businesses
- The Grapevine
- A fresh and innovative YouTube talk show consisting of a panel style discussion, from the hands and minds of millennials.
Gone are the times when Degree-Smart and fear of ‘not making it’ drove us to college and varsity.
Twenty first century Smart-Mixture of creativity, innovation and independent thinking, as well as overall technology and social media savviness, industry exposure and mentorship.
You walk around armed with one of the most powerful weapons of the twenty first century- THE INTERNET. Exploit it to its maximum so you reach your full potential one day-whether it be in academia or from the unconventional hustle. Knowledge is power. Use it to #Empower yourself and who knows…You might find yourself standing with the greats one day.
Here is to financial liberation, education and activism by the youth, for the youth!