UNICEF joined the South African education
stakeholders to look, pump up society and rallied it to action over
the protection of schools.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), which happens
to be the biggest union in the education and public service sector, in
collaboration with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and
UNICEF South Africa, are on a campaign to protect schools’
infrastructure.
This collaboration stems from Sadtu’s ‘I am a school fan’
campaign intended to mobilise all stakeholders that includes learners,
parents, teachers, community members, relevant government departments,
faith-based organisations, and the private sector to play a decisive
role towards ensuring that schools are safe.
Moreover, the July 2021 “riots” and the recent floods in
KwaZulu-Natal further illuminated the infrastructure challenges in our
schools.
CAPE
TOWN: “It is our view that the youth will be the catalytic force to the
realization of the continental agenda. This asset in our hands is
perhaps the greatest resource, an asset much more valuable than all the
oil and mineral resources. The African youth are beginning to make
significant contributions to economic transformation across the
continent.”
These words were made by Prof. Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, President
and Chairman of Afreximbank, during his opening remarks at the 29th
Annual Meetings of Afreximbank recently.
Prof. Oramah has made a strong case for the role of the youth in
Africa’s developmental future, emphasizing that industrial revolutions
seen in other countries were largely attributed to a young and capable
workforce; a young and capable workforce is representative of Africa’s
workforce today.
Recent developments and research show that Africa represents one of
the highest potential markets for growth with significant natural and
human capital resources untapped.
Diverse and rich with opportunities, the continent is home to a
number of growing markets spanning natural and mineral resources,
construction, infrastructure, forestry, agriculture, tourism and
cultural sectors.
However, it is the continent’s human capital and digital technology
potential that offers the solution to unlocking a new era of
intra-African trade and growth.
Following the formation of the Organization of African Unity in 1963,
now the African Union (AU), established with a vision for an Africa
that was united, free and in control of its own destiny, countries
across the continent have been progressively improving intra-African
trade and commerce, recognizing the role cross-border business and
continental cooperation will play in driving sustainable socioeconomic
growth in Africa.
To further incentivize trade, the African Continental Free Trade
Agreement (AfCFTA) was implemented in January 2021, the premise of which
was to form the world’s largest free trade area by connecting the over
1.3 billion people across 54 African countries.
And the AfCFTA marked a historic moment for the continent, signaling a new era of simplified trade in Africa.
However, despite its implementation, an article by the Economist of
London stated that adoption and leveraging of the AfCFTA has been slow,
and “in practice, no trade has happened under its terms because of
continued political wrangling.
“Africa’s leaders risk squandering the promise of freer trade.” says Prof. Oramah.
He contended that, “While the Economist was right with regards to the
facts set out in their article, the conclusions are wrong because the
facts in the article are symptoms of a major problem the article did not
explore. We cannot reverse the symptoms without confronting the
problem.”
According to Prof. Oramah, it is necessary to explore the roots of
the problem rather than simply criticize modern state of affairs, while
driving the adoption and capitalization of growth-oriented agreements
such as the AfCFTA.
Specifically, in order to accelerate intra-African trade and
commerce, the continent should turn towards its own resources, driving
investment and development by leveraging Africa’s human capital and
technological potential.
“While the problem was identified decades ago, it is only now that
Africa can boast of possessing a combination of factors that can resolve
it. These consist of visionary and committed leadership, the youth, and
digital technology. Our leadership has done the courageous work of
giving us the AfCFTA. A lot now hinges on our Youth. It is for this
reason that Afreximbank dedicated this year’s Annual Meeting to the
theme, “Realizing the AfCFTA Potential in the Post-COVID-19 Era:
Leveraging the Power of The Youth,” Prof. Oramah continued.
As Africa’s diverse markets witness heightened investment and
development in a post-COVID-19 context, trade will be critical for
ensuring continental, rather than isolated, socio-economic development.
The youth’s role in this development is clear and by investing in the
continent’s human capital development, Africa will be able to reap the
rewards of a strong and growth-focused economy.
“The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is not only an advocate for the
development of the continent’s natural resources but of its human
capital resources. Africa’s population represents the youngest, the
fastest growing and arguably the most determined. It is time for us to
position the youth at the forefront of the continent’s development, and
only then will we be able to witness unprecedented growth. During the
continent’s premier energy event, African Energy Week 2022, discussions
will center around the youth, the role of women in Africa’s energy
future and strategies for enhancing intra-African trade and business,”
states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
Prof. Oramah concluded, “Sprouting everywhere in a fragmented
continent, the African youth are poised to make giant strides in a
single continental market and could seamlessly become the drivers of
Africa’s integration and intra-African trade. Policies that give them
intellectual property protection, ease the cost of doing business as
well as improve access to the single African market will unleash their
entrepreneurial drive. A vibrant single market will open a new vista of
opportunities that will broaden the choices available to the youth and
empower them to reach their potential.”
