By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Frustrated but hopeful, the youth of Monontsha gathered at the Tribal Hall on 13 June to mark Youth Day with open and honest conversations about their future. They voiced their growing exhaustion with unemployment, limited opportunities, and the feeling of being left out of development programmes.
At the heart of the commemoration were heartfelt testimonies from young people who, despite Qwaqwa’s socio-economic challenges, expressed a deep desire to change their circumstances.
Tshidiso Mosebekoa, a first-year mechanical engineering student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) who is currently home for the winter holidays, said the event had offered him valuable guidance.
“The information I’ve received today has been really helpful. I came here hoping to find assistance with accommodation so I can return to school. Now I know where I can go to seek funding,” he shared.
Other young voices, such as Loti Tshabalala and Mosela Selepe of the Bothja Bothjabile Agricultural Cooperative, spoke of the discouragement rural youth often feel when they are excluded from empowerment initiatives.
“We were starting to feel very demotivated,” said Tshabalala. “Not a lot of programmes reach us here in Monontsha. But today reminded us that we can’t just sit at home and complain. We must start something ourselves.”
Selepe echoed this sentiment, adding:
“I joined the cooperative because I believe in the vision. We sell vegetables, and that gives me hope. I believe if we keep working hard, this project will grow. It’s better than sitting at home doing nothing.”
A call for self-reliance and youth-led solutions echoed throughout the day, leaving many attendees inspired and with a renewed sense of purpose.
Key stakeholders also lent their voices to the message of action and persistence.
Local young farmer Morwa Molingoane encouraged collaboration and initiative.
“Let’s work together and do things for ourselves,” he urged. “I’ve acquired land here in Monontsha and work closely with the Tribal Council. I’m willing to work with any hardworking youth who is determined.”
Thabang Mokoena from the University of the Free State’s Centre for Global Change encouraged youth to explore all avenues for growth, including outside formal education.
“Most youth in QwaQwa have qualifications but are still sitting at home. Don’t wait for opportunities—go knock on doors. Find ways to upskill and improve yourself. Don’t let another year pass you by while doing nothing.”
The Youth Day event at Monontsha Tribal Hall was more than just a celebration — it was a space for reflection, connection, and renewed determination. The message was clear: the youth are ready to act, but they need support, recognition, and meaningful inclusion in development efforts.
One Response
The event was very fruitful than we expected. Most of the invited stakeholders motivated young people and showcase many opportunities on farming and how it can address the issue of poverty and unemployment.