*YOUTH DAY: WE ARE NOT A ‘LOST’ GENERATION BUT A DISCARDED ONE* By *Kaden Arguile*, GOOD National Youth Chairperson From the moment a child is born in South Africa, they face barriers in every direction. If they’re lucky, they’ll survive a chronically underfunded healthcare system. If their home is unstable, the chance of receiving help from an overwhelmed and under-resourced social worker is slim, especially in a society still deeply marked by violence. If they are not among the millions suffering from poverty-induced malnutrition, they will still find themselves in an education system buckling under the weight of too few teachers, no safe or affordable transport, and crumbling infrastructure, epitomised by the fact that pit latrines still exist in 2025. For those who manage, against the odds, to reach higher education, a crumbling NSFAS system awaits, alongside unaffordable fees and a severe shortage of student housing. And after all this, they must then brave one of the most unforgiving job markets in the world. This is not the story of a generation that has lost its way. This is the story of a generation that has been systematically discarded. This Youth Day, GOOD reaffirms the call we made from the National Assembly during Youth Parliament: If we want South Africa’s youth to believe in the dream of a successful nation, we must give them more than speeches, we must give them implementation. For over two decades, our country has failed to deliver on its promises to the youth. Strategies, summits, and task teams have not translated into real change on the ground. Now is the time to act decisively. GOOD calls on government to immediately commit to key priorities outlined in its own G20 strategy: Education and Industrialisation. These are not abstract ideals, they are practical, transformative goals. A serious commitment to these pillars will drive job creation, improve education outcomes, and increase GDP. Raising the standard of living for all South Africans must be our number one priority. Education: The Cornerstone of Youth Empowerment Raising the quality of education must be the foundation of any credible youth strategy. It is unacceptable that pit latrines still exist in 2025. Government must immediately launch oversight visits to all public schools to assess infrastructure, staffing, and communication lines with provincial departments. We must: • Eradicate unsafe sanitation, • Allocate teachers to prevent overcrowding, • Modernise communication between schools and departments, and • Ensure no child is left behind due to infrastructure failure. Beyond basic schooling, we must invest in Technikons and vocational training institutions, while rapidly expanding digital access for all youth. Increasing the number and reach of Technikons will not only build a pipeline of essential workers but support the skills base needed for the modernisation of our cities, ports, railways, and healthcare infrastructure. Bridging the Digital Divide Without internet access, South African youth cannot Submit CVs, Search for jobs, Study online, or Start businesses. This reality must shape our Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). Government must act on the recent committee meetings with mobile network providers and the Department of Communications. We need: • Immediate legislative reform to lower the cost of data, • An end to exploitative practices such as data expiry, and • Public investment in Wi-Fi hubs in disconnected communities. GOOD has already piloted such hubs in Nelson Mandela Bay, successfully providing free access for learners and job seekers. These hubs are scalable and can be sustained through partnerships with local businesses and civil society. Youth Employment Through Infrastructure The second phase in fighting youth unemployment must be grounded in large-scale infrastructure development. South Africa’s G20 commitments to industrialisation must now be translated into action. We propose: • Massive investment into ports, rail, and healthcare facilities, • Targeted recruitment of graduates from Technikons and other institutions directly into mega-projects, and • Structured programmes that integrate newly qualified healthcare workers into the National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout. Our current port and rail systems are choking South Africa’s export potential. The mining and shipping industries are bleeding billions due to inadequate transport infrastructure. The solution lies in mobilising our youth as a skilled, motivated workforce ready to rebuild the country. On Youth Day we commemorate the brave youth who stood up against injustice on this date in 1976. Without their voices and their action, South Africa would not have the freedom it does today. Nearly half a century on and their legacy cannot be celebrated without acknowledging those youth being discarded from our society due to inaction. This Youth Day, let us debate, demonstrate and stand up for the ideals that our generation of youth want to be defined by. Through a collective movement we can implement real change for our youth.