Page 55 - IRMSA Risk Report 2021

VICE CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
Prof TAWANA

KUPE

EXPERT OPINION

“We will not let this crisis go to waste.” To quote Mr Tito The University of Pretoria’s solution to addressing
Mboweni in the recently released Medium Term Budget employability of students is the idea of “lifelong learning”.
Policy Statement (MTBPS), the same report refers to The world is increasingly complex and disruptions, be
plummeting household and business incomes alongside they the industrial revolution or 4IR, area constant. The
severe restrictions in movement, has led to a spike in job future of work therefore depends largely on students’
losses, large scale business closures and a near complete ability to constantly learn and unlearn as the environment
halt in international good trade. By June 2020, the number changes. The University has therefore also emphasised
of people in employment had fallen by 2.2 million, leaving the importance of “the ability to teach”. All lecturers
South Africa with only 14.1 million workers employed. must undergo training in teaching. A qualification only is
no longer the only requirement to qualify as a lecturer.
The youth in South Africa depend largely on SMMEs for To ensure students are work ready, the University has
employment, a sector that has been hard hit due to designed a “ready for work” course that is compulsory
lockdown regulations. Unfortunately, the MTBS is silent for all students regardless of their specific vocation. The
on how these factors have impacted the youth, who face goal is to ensure that in addition to their qualifications,
an increased dropout rate (due to unemployed parents) students are equipped with critical-thinking skills. These
and increased unemployment resulting from business courses are supported by the University Alumni. Students
closures. The report is equally silent on how the Economic also have access to an online course in Entrepreneurship
Recovery Plan aims to address the growing inequality felt supported by a special programme called “Tuks Innovation”.
by our youth in the form of lack of tools and online access Students are however encouraged to get work experience
to learn from home. Inequality has also meant that most to understand how businesses are run before embarking
do not have basic facilities at home to create a conducive on their own innovative ideas. Specific focus areas include
educational space to learn. The gaps in learning created by veterinary and agricultural sciences, as well as “township
the pandemic will impact this generation for years to come economies”. Innovation Africa also includes small-scale
– specific plans to address this are few and far between. farming in its programme. More effort is required to close
Significant investments in youth development programs the digital divide if we are to add the “Gig Economy” as
are required to address education and employment one of the solutions for addressing youth unemployment.
challenges faced by the youth. These investments are Businesses views on how to leverage a “Gig Economy” to
also necessary to reduce the negative social impacts of save costs and add value also needs to evolve to provide
unemployed youth in the form of unrests and or being the necessary opportunities. Apart from saving costs, it
targeted by radical groups or organised crime. The goal is also has the potential of significantly improving the quality
to rescue the “new lost generation”. of life.

In February this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa The growing inequality exacerbated by the 2008 Financial
introduced a five-year plan dubbed the Presidential Youth Crisis, as well the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in
Employment Intervention to reduce youth unemployment, what is now known as the “second lost generation”. The
which at the time stood at over 40%. The five interventions presidential programmes suggest that the political will to
include: online platforms to connect job seekers to address education and youth unemployment is strong.
employers and provide work readiness training; short However, if not implemented with urgency our youth will
courses to steer young people into high-demand sectors be condemned to suffer for a long time to come. Our
such as technology, tourism and agriculture; bolstering youth need all the support they can get, both from the
entrepreneurship opportunities in townships and rural public and private sector.
areas; providing work experience opportunities through
the Youth Employment Service and championing the The University is therefore hard at work ensuring that
Presidential Youth Service Programme. He also announced they do not merely produce graduates. Our philosophy
a funding increase for youth-owned businesses through and programmes are premised on understanding societal
the Department of Small Business Development, the NYDA problems and working towards explicit impacts that can
and the SME Fund. Barriers to entry, such as internet make lasting changes in our communities and the economy
access and high data costs, would also be eradicated to at large. We can only be successful if our efforts are
help entrepreneurs. supported by a social compact that includes government,
!"#"$%&"'(#)$&%* ' business, labour and the communities we serve.
!

Sources: WEF Covid-19 Risk Outlook Insight Report, May 2020, in partnership with Marsh & McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group., Daily Maverick article by Sandisiwe Shoba, 13
Feb2020, “Ramaphosa and the five-step plan to tackle youth unemployment.
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