HON. SS . ZONDO, MP
Honourable Speaker,
This month, as we commemorate Youth Day, we not only reflect on the bravery of the 1976 generation but are reminded of our solemn duty to create a future where young people are truly empowered to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
For example, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is reshaping every sector of our economy, from agriculture to healthcare, from education to government services. Yet, millions of South African youth remain on the margins—under-skilled, under-employed, and underrepresented in the innovation economy.
As the IFP, we firmly believe that economic transformation begins with educational transformation. Our youth cannot participate in a digital economy when many are still excluded from basic connectivity. A child without data today is a worker without opportunity tomorrow.
We therefore call on the Department of Higher Education to prioritise STEM education in rural and township schools, and roll out targeted TVET and artisan training programmes that address the needs of the 4IR. Establish public-private partnerships to expand digital literacy, coding academies, and innovation hubs at the community level.
Furthermore, the IFP strongly urges the Department of Higher Education to implement an industry-aligned skills mapping initiative, so that our graduates do not enter a labour market that has no place for their qualifications.
Crucially, the IFP reaffirms our long-held commitment to access to free higher education for all deserving students. Education is not a privilege—it is an instrument of justice. We cannot speak of “empowering the youth” while NSFAS continues to fail, leaving thousands abandoned mid-qualification.
If South Africa is serious about empowering its youth, we must ensure that no deserving student is left behind because of financial constraints. We must end the cycle of student debt and underfunded institutions.
A good example is witnessing inspiring leaders like President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, with a young population, taking decisive action to empower their nations. We must applaud him for his remarkable efforts in ensuring the state ownership of mineral resources. This strategic move means that Burkina Faso’s valuable minerals are being sold to neighbouring countries, directly benefiting its people by creating jobs and significantly boosting the economy. This is a powerful example of what the late Founder His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi also envisioned for South Africa – a nation where its natural resources are leveraged for the prosperity of its citizens, much like the renewed focus on agriculture is now transforming the landscape of Burkina Faso.
Moreover, the IFP is alarmed by the rise of substance abuse among young people, particularly in communities plagued by poverty and high youth unemployment. Any serious youth empowerment strategy must integrate comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation programmes—linked directly to skills development and employment opportunities—so that young people are not only lifted out of addiction, but also into dignity and self-reliance.
Honourable Speaker, we owe it to the youth to stop paying lip service to their future. The 1976 generation fought for political freedom. Today’s youth are crying for economic dignity. Let us honour them with policies that open doors, not close them.
The IFP stands ready to build a future where every young South African has the skills and access to not just survive, but lead. I thank you.
