Andile Qolo, KCT, Nyanga
We must take responsibility to move forward.
Youth Day (June 16) has come and gone. Now it’s time to face the reality. This country is faced with many social issues, from school drop-outs to new HIV infections to undisciplined children which are all youth-related.
Beyond those, the government of the day has a responsibility, as written in the constitution, to provide healthy food, social grants to 17 million, schools and clinics.
I am left questioning the roles and responsibilities of citizens, particularly the youth.
The mentality of entitlement is becoming a serious concern, and my honest view is that we can’t blame everything on the government.
There must be some sense of responsibility on our side. I say that with the knowledge that many are unemployed.
We don’t produce at all; we are a nation that consumes more than we can afford. We are not taking any responsibility.
In fact now I hear voices saying there must be a grant for the unemployed.
If we are going to talk about rights, our health is the most basic right, but we fail to take responsibility to test for HIV/Aids.
We are continuously involved in gangsterism. If we want to create a war, let’s do so against HIV/Aids, TB and other diseases.
We know many people who are selling drugs in the community; again my question is what is our responsibility?
We can’t expect police to deal with such matters alone. Our education is in a dire situation, as many youth are murdered in classrooms, and teachers are robbed in school. What is our responsibility?
I am aware many might come back blaming everyone and anyone involved.
I don’t dispute that the government and parents have done wrong, so they must take responsibility for their actions.
All I am saying is we must own up to our faults as youth and correct where we can to make things better for the next generation. After all, the youth of 1976 did its part; we must pave our path.