Addressing hidden challenges that SA's youth face

AS SOUTH Africa marks Youth Month, the national conversation tends to focus - rightly — on rising youth unemployment.

- BALAN MOODLEY

But less attention tends to be given to the often invisible barriers standing in the way of young people: limited access to mentorship and basic life skills, real-world career guidance and support networks needed to bridge the gap between school and success.

There’s a lot that can be— and needs to be—done to guide and support young people in South Africa to achieve their goals of bright futures, even in the face of high unemployment. Sharing wide-ranging lifeskills and guidance in workplace skills will give youngsters confidence, an ability to communicate effectively, an understanding of their accountability and a clear vision of their chosen career paths. I believe that with increased informal and formal investment in our youth, we can reduce unemployment and give more young people hope for the future.