Teboho Setena
The Women’s Outreach Committee of the Uniting Reformed Church branch in Bochabela, Bloemfontein, marked National Youth Day by lending a helping hand to young and adult men seeking jobs.
These women of goodwill provided a meal to a group of men in Bloemfontein’s East End Business Park on 16 June.http://Uniting Reformed Church women’s mark national youth day
The job-seeking men brave adverse weather conditions on a daily basis, waiting with bated breath at the intersection of McGregor and Mackenzie Street for job offers in order to provide for themselves and their families.
Armed with different skills, ranging from construction to gardening, these men are ready for work. Some are already in possession of the necessary tools of their trade.
They accept any gesture of goodwill – which usually includes food – but with an underlying hope for temporary employment in order to make ends meet.
As part of the scores of unemployed South Africans, they persevere despite the talks that there are no job opportunities.
Keitumetse Makhele, secretary of the Women’s Outreach Committee, at the Youth Day outreach said their efforts were inspired by the spirit of humanity and as a temporary intervention for a positive change to the lives of the men and their families.
The unemployment rate in the Free State is currently at 38,5%, having increased from 37%.
The province’s unemployment rate is reported to be among the highest in the country.
