Snl24 | Killing hope: Youth depend on grants!

Unemployed Lwazi Mathebula (28) survives by doing odd jobs. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

YOUNG people of Pienaar in kaDaantjie, Mpumanlanga are hopeful for a better future despite the stalling of a multi-billion-rand development project called Nkosi City that could change their lives.

Most young people are unemployed; they depend on social grants, and some do odd jobs for a living.

They told Daily Sun that this project would create more job opportunities. Daily Sun spoke to Lwazi Mathebula, who makes a living by patching potholes on the damaged roads of Pienaar daily.

The 28-year-old said he makes at least R150 on a good day and uses that money to buy food for his family.

“We do this to help motorists, and they appreciate our efforts by rewarding us with whatever change they have. When it rains, it becomes impossible for cars to use this road. I sometimes start at 7am and knock off at 5pm. So far, the weather has become one of the main challenges when it rains, we don’t work, we cannot do what we do,” he said.

Mathebula, who wanted to be a lawyer when he was growing up, said he hasn’t heard any new developments about the Nkosi City project. He added that if the project commenced, it would also benefit him and many other people.

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Tailor Sibiya who is unemployed told Daily Sun that the construction of the multibillion-rand city would benefit him a lot and other young people like him.

“We are suffering. Many people don’t have jobs or houses, and they are desperate. We want the city to be built so that the community can benefit. Everything is on a standstill; nothing is happening,” said Sibiya.

Another struggling young person, Nkosinathi Mamba (35), said they have been eyeing Nkosi City for years, and he is starting to doubt if it will ever happen.

He said the city’s construction will not only create jobs for them but also assist them in starting their businesses.

“The city will be built next to the Kruger National Park, and we can use this as an opportunity to start tourism businesses and also join the hospitality sector.

“We need this. I hope the government can see how desperately this is needed not just for young people but for everyone, even our parents,” he said.

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