The Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA) celebrated Youth Day 2023 and the youth of 1976's legacy with a symbolic act of protest against youth unemployment that comprised a drumming session and critical dialogue. The event took place at the Van Der Stel Sports Club in Stellenbosch on 15 June and over 80 young people, who are currently studying at the academy, were in attendance.
The theme of the event was "Drumming Against Youth Unemployment". This theme highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue of rising youth unemployment in South Africa.
"We feel like, as a youth development organisation, we don't make enough noise about youth unemployment. So, the purpose for today is to make that noise, to make our voices heard," said Zizipho Makhokha, a project coordinator at PYDA.
The interactive drumming session was facilitated by Amazink, a homegrown township theatre-restaurant in Kayamandi. This drumming together in unity was a symbolic act of 'making noise' and raising awareness around youth unemployment.
Speaking at the event the newly appointed executive director of PYDA, Roger Domingo, pointed out that although South Africa's seen progress since apartheid, youth unemployment still remains a major concern. "We have made a lot of progress in South Africa [since 1976]. But we also have a lot of problems, one of the biggest being youth unemployment. As young people, the work is not done. We say 'a luta continua', the struggle continues," he said.
"You want access to the economy. You want a better life for yourself. But the opportunities aren't necessarily there. There are still barriers in the system that prevents young people from coming in."
With the rising unemployment rate, the youth remain vulnerable in the labour market. The first quarter of 2023 results show that the total number of unemployed youth (15-34 years) has increased to 4,9 million. This resulted in an increase in the youth unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points to 46,5% in Q1:2023.
Rudy Oosterwyk, innovation lead at PYDA, said: "We need to make a lot more noise about youth unemployment. Of course we can wait on government programmes, but that will never be enough. And so, the youth of 1976 showed us the path of saying 'How do we do this on our own?' and I think this is what the youth is taking up today."
About PYDA
The Pinotage Youth Development Academy is a youth development and training non-profit organisation in the heart of Stellenbosch. For the past 10 years, they have provided skills training and work placement to over 500 youth across a number of economic sectors.
Part of their program objectives is to support the large percentage of discouraged job seekers through their World of Work Centre. This youth employment centre offers unemployed individuals – between the ages of 18 and 34 years – work readiness support to access opportunities across all economic sectors.
For more information about PYDA, please contact Rudy Oosterwyk on rudy@pyda.co.za.
About Amazink
Amazink Live is a culturally authentic, interactive South African musical and dining experience situated in the Kayamandi township of Stellenbosch. It was South Africa’s very first township theatre-restaurant. The experience includes a delicious, three-course traditional South African meal that sets the stage for what follows – vibrant and soulful local rhythms woven through a story of life, love, and laughter.
Amazink also provides team building drumming, interactive drumming, and live music performances.
For more information and bookings, contact Amazink on info@amazinklive.co.za or 081 814 5863.