Young people are encouraged to make education their companion

Show Voice Options Sekhukhune residents received a front-row seat to a memorable celebration of youth empowerment when Dr Phophi Ramathuba alongside Members of the Executive Council (MECs) pitched to the Leeuwfontein Sports Ground on the 16th of June 2025 to commemorate Youth Day. Just a day after departing from China, jetlag did not hinder Premier Ramathuba from engaging with future leaders of the country. She reiterated that no matter the circumstances of life, education remains a precondition for development, for it has the power to transform lives, realise dreams and improve livelihoods. Her emphasis follows remarks from Acting Provincial Manager of the NYDA, Moscow Maepa when he essentially asked that, what profits young people to obtain diplomas and degrees in a system that shoves them to unemployment? Poverty? And ultimately, crime. In response, Premier Ramathuba urged young people to make education their companion, regardless of the curveballs of life. “The National Government acknowledges that you don’t want empty promises, you want real opportunities. This is why we are actively turning plans into action,” mentioned the Premier. She also detailed that government has launched various bold programmes aimed at helping young people find job opportunities, establish businesses, and gain skills essential for today’s world. Some of the programmes include the National Youth Service, Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, and Goat & Sheep Farming just to name a few. Speaking of agriculture, Premier Ramathuba calls young people to not only confine their dreams of employment to offices, suits and ties, but expand them to farming, mining and other forms of entrepreneurship. Already living up to that call is Desriee and Deon, a young woman and lad from Ward 7 within the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality who both agree that indeed, farming can be fashionable. The duo is establishing a vegetable and livestock farm courtesy of contributions made by every stakeholder who funds such programmes. They wish the education system and parents can give more room for hidden industries like agriculture to blossom, for they have the potential to challenge unemployment and poverty. Young people are implored to seize every single opportunity available and up-skill themselves to become competent, qualified and thriving individuals. PM