28th August 2013 Staggering Unemployment Veracity Having 15 million people on social grants everyone knows is a recipe for ruin. The first state of the nation address by President Jacob Zuma was a much needed and welcomed, however ambitious. He’s speech had all the elements of delivery and gave us the sense that the government would be engrossed in the plight of the unemployed and poor. He’s undertakings remain elusive and blurred. The Staggering Unemployment Veracity is what concerns us and any attempt to innovate during these trying times must be applauded and supported. However, the blatant distortion of the accurate figures and in appropriate measuring tools used to determine scientifically the statistical evidence of unemployment is partly the source of the pandemonium currently in the public perception. Call us pragmatist or unpatriotic, the reality is that much of what our President articulated is almost analogous to the speeches of former presidents and thinking back, it automatically positions us in a frenzy which makes us offensive. The over all impressions of his administration were very assuring and almost convinced us that government is busy implementing a Cohesive Gear of Rescue while they dumped the GEAR program of the past. Efficiency gains of our government will proof to be of no effect should no strong partnerships be forged so that we can innovate. Independent Labour Surveys has found in their estimate that unemployment is as high as 45% before the recession, what might the picture be now, 25%, truly? It is imperative at least in our approximation that the dialogue around the definition of unemployment continues. While we appreciate the new all inclusive robust debate between governments, unions and business regarding the unemployment and new job creation initiatives, it must be borne in mind that the majority of youth are without an income and generally people are living in abject poverty. The idea of this reality should have all of us engaged in a national ponder. Having large numbers of youth unemployed, even if most are unskilled, is a major Cost to the economy. Labour is a major Productive Resource for any economy. How government and business navigate the South African Economy during these unsympathetic economic conditions will characterize their leadership strength and resilience. We at Unemployment Forum of South Africa always believe in a Collective Contract. It is indeed critical to note that civil society has a role to play in developing the economy and patriotism, called social cohesion. The perception that the recession is all bad could be described as a fallacy. History has proven facts that in the worst of times people apply innovative strategies and creativity never taught off before. Businesses are generally in a much better position considering the unnecessary spending incurred during business as usual. South Africans with immensely heterogeneous cultures and commerce must provide unprecedented alternatives. The current economic down turn provide everyone with different opportunities, the playing fields are potentially leveling up during the slump periods and ready to be exploited depending on peoples attitude. Critically to note is that the current crisis is unambiguous in that it continues to leave casualties, which is called unemployment and poverty. This sagging actuality however does not need to determine our authenticity or curtail our imagination. Social dialogue in terms of finding synergy between fiscal and social policies has to become a critical platform of engagement, but it’s not enough. Entrepreneurship (where youth can feature prominently) holds the key to unlocking much of the answers to the economic crisis. Institutions of Higher learning are predominately producing job searchers and currently produce more job seekers in comparison with what the economy can absorb. Entrepreneurship suggests two important aspects, namely that it disturbs the Status Quo and secondly it is a Change Agent. This is exactly what the economy needs if we are going to arrest the staggering unemployment and poverty scourge. If the South African government can pay conscience attention on developing entrepreneurs more rapidly and do away with the bureaucratic jargon and over regulation in agencies that are suppose to support young people, then and only then will we have healthier chances of fueling the economic growth and establish job opportunities. To meaningfully and quickly turn big business around will continue to proof a gigantic task; hence the need for entrepreneurship which offers any economy relatively quick fertility. Again, fact remains that Labour is a Productive Resource for any economy, but entrepreneurship provides the fuel needed to bring the economic edge. The unfortunate reality is that the effects of job losses will impact on crime levels and a general hopelessness across the country. There is no more speculation with regards to the enormous job losses however affluent our President’s first state of the nation speech was and government commitment to create jobs. The unemployment situation amongst the youth especially remains staggering and needs the nation to rally around innovative ideas and collective programs. We have to elevate ourselves above the status quo. Optimism has to become our realistic portion while fighting our deprivation and economic dispossession. The current recession offers the nation the opportunity to strive with purpose. We are in a defining moment. May you experience peace, good health and prosperity. Kind Regards, Anthony Phillip Williams Executive Chairperson – Unemployment Forum of South Africa (UFSA) +27 (0) 72 627 2080 Email: unemploymentforumsouthafrica@gmail; Website: ufsa
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:21:36 +0000
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