Youth In South Africa Research Articles

A predictive framework for sustainable youth skills development

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate sustainable strategies for skills development that is specific to the youth of South Africa. International and South African data are statistically analysed and quantified to provide inputs for the systems dynamics (SD)-based predictive skills model. The skills model simulates the impact of barriers and drivers on youth skills development towards identification of focus areas for improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopts a mixed-methods approach. The study begins with an explorative literature study on skills development, with the findings applied in developing (1) South African specific research instruments for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and skills programme grant recipients and (2) a conceptual framework of the SD predictive skills model. The responses to the South African specific instruments are analysed via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which quantifies the input coefficients to the system dynamics model. To quantify the global inputs for the SD model, an in-depth literature review of the global skills development initiatives is conducted. The SD model output on skills, for the South African inputs, is comparatively evaluated against global inputs.FindingsThe paper details the results of the literature analysis, instrument analyses, CFA and SD model. The instrument results rank experience, skills and interactions with experts and work-based learning as most important. South African and global learners identify networking as the primary medium for identifying training and employment opportunities. South African and global learners also identify qualifications and work-based experience as key to finding employment. The quantified results of the SA and global analysis are used as inputs in the SD model to deliver a forecasting tool. The SD model finds that the global data provide for better development of the skills base than the South African inputs. The key focus areas identified for improvement in South Africa include networking, work-based experience and a reduction in administrative requirements.Originality/valueThe research's originality resides in the ability to predict the impact of drivers and barriers on skills development. This research sought to transform qualitative global and South African inputs into a consolidated, predictive systems-based model. The SD model can be adopted as an indicator of drivers and barriers focused towards the optimisation of skills development.

Epidemiology and Phenomenology of Compulsive Use of Technology: The Technological Saturation of South African Youth

Modern technological advancements are increasingly reconstituting virtually every facet of social interaction. While technology plays a significant role in many people’s lives, it appears to pose interminable drawbacks, especially among the youth. This article seeks to go beyond emphasising the utopia wrought by these disruptive innovations, by looking at how technologically saturated South Africa’s youth are. This study took a qualitative approach. Focus group interviews encapsulated the viewpoints of the target population selected from four multipurpose community centres in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Grohol’s model of pathological internet use was found relevant to determine the compulsive use of technology by the youth in South Africa. Data analysis was done using thematic categorisation. The findings show that the youth have adopted a variety of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for different purposes. Findings also reveal that technology advancements not only offer an easier and quicker way to share information, but also contribute to sociability by providing a way to communicate with distant friends and family. Notwithstanding the negative side of technology, ICTs have positive impacts on today’s youth, namely bringing people together as well as enhancing their social and educational abilities. However, if used without discretion, technology can create a less interactive generation. The youth seem to be so fixated on technology that it affects their social life. It can be concluded that South Africa’s youth are saturated by technology. However, this saturation comes with both negative and positive consequences; some have become technologically savvy while others seem to be negatively affected.

The influence of consumer Socialization agents and personal attitude in the consumption of alcohol among youth in South Africa

PurposeThis paper aims to estimate the effects of three socialization agents in the form of advertising exposure, parental influence and peer influence and effects of personal attitude on youth alcohol consumption behaviour in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation model was used to test the proposed conceptual model of four hypotheses based on the validated survey data gathered from 300 youth in Johannesburg, South Africa.FindingsEmpirical results show that advertising, parental influence, peer influence and personal attitude has positive effects on youth alcohol consumption behaviour, with advertising and personal attitude exhibiting statistical significance on alcohol consumption behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe study involves only youthful demographic in the age range of 18–35 and hence suffers from generalizability. The cross-sectional design also limits the findings with respect to time.Practical implicationsIt provides policymakers insights into important factors to focus on changing drinking behaviour in South Africa.Social implicationsIt also improves the understanding of how consumer socialization agents and personal attitudes affect alcohol consumption of young people in South Africa and help deal with the problem through policy changes and social marketing interventions.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to estimate three socialization agents and personal attitude of youth in alcohol consumption behaviour in an emerging market context.

Debate: Is there a true global children and young people mental health crisis? Fact or Fiction: A South African Perspective

The article seeks to discuss the complexities that prevail in South Africa in attempting to understand the debate about whether there is a true global children and young people mental health crisis in the country. In the absence of reliable and current epidemiological data and prevalence studies, assumptions can only be made about the extent of the crisis when considering the prevailing social determinants of mental disorders. The lack of investment, limited child and adolescent mental health resources, and inadequate access to treatment complicate this crisis as many children and young people go untreated. The author argues that the debate should be focused on the need to address the risk factors that perpetuate the ever-increasing mental health concerns of children and youth in South Africa.

‘This is what is going to help me’: Developing a co-designed and theoretically informed harm reduction intervention for mobile youth in South Africa and Uganda

ABSTRACT Young migrants in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable to HIV-acquisition. Despite this, they are consistently under-served by services, with low uptake and engagement. We adopted a community-based participatory research approach to conduct longitudinal qualitative research among 78 young migrants in South Africa and Uganda. Using repeat in-depth interviews and participatory workshops we sought to identify their specific support needs, and to collaboratively design an intervention appropriate for delivery in their local contexts. Applying a protection-risk conceptual framework, we developed a harm reduction intervention which aims to foster protective factors, and thereby nurture resilience, for youth ‘on the move’ within high-risk settings. Specifically, by establishing peer supporter networks, offering a ‘drop-in’ resource centre, and by identifying local adult champions to enable a supportive local environment. Creating this supportive edifice, through an accessible and cohesive peer support network underpinned by effective training, supervision and remuneration, was considered pivotal to nurture solidarity and potentially resilience. This practical example offers insights into how researchers may facilitate the co-design of acceptable, sustainable interventions.

Post-school youths' schooling experiences and aspirations

While three million youth in South Africa are not in education, employment or training (NEETS), not much is known about their schooling experiences nor their aspirations for the future. Eighty-seven post-school youth (PSY) were enrolled at a youth development and organisation (IYDO) centre in a Black township to the south-east of Johannesburg. This paper analyses the perspectives of these post-school youths of their formal schooling experiences and their aspirations for the future. The paper is framed by Willis’s (2000) theory of the basic educational paradigm at the heart of the teaching relationship and intentional resistance from working class boys. Analysis of data showed the failure of the schools attended by the participants in providing a reasonable standard and quality of education as the main cause of dropping out of school. In spite of challenging structural constraints both historical and current, these post-school youth are not disaffected nor disengaged from quality education. Contrary to the literature, they aspire for a better life and for educational opportunities that would enable them to access professional and managerial jobs and upward social mobility. Appadurai’s (2004) theory of culture of aspiration enabled making sense of participants’ aspirations. The issue of post school youth requires not only alternative post school programmes but also attention to schooling practices within formal secondary school education.

Entrepreneurship Development Among Black Youths in South Africa: A Choice or Neccesity?

Black-youth-owned enterprises are essential to sustainable development and wealth creation for rural-based municipalities like the Vhembe District Municipality, where they can play a pivotal role in economic growth. This paper aims to explore the socio-economic determinates of entrepreneurship trends among Black youths in the Vhembe District Municipality. The investigation focused on youths living in the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo province, South Africa. The study used judgmental non-probability sampling to sample the participants. The study used qualitative research to collect and analyse data. The unstructured interview was used to gather data from the participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The study findings revealed that Black youths in the Vhembe District decided to be entrepreneurs to empower their communities, escape underemployment and scarcity of jobs, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. The paper recommends that the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the Presidency, in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Enterprise Development and the National Youth Development Agency, should provide a two-year internship for young Black entrepreneurs in foreign companies that specialize in mining, technology, creative industries, and agriculture. When these Black youth return home, the government should set aside a Presidential Youth Fund to assist them to start their own businesses in the same industry.

Arts Education

On April 23, 2021, Erita Lee Acham Chen presented Arts Education: An Unexpected Tool in the Quest for a Safer World at the 2021 CASIS Generation Z Congress. The presentation was followed by a moderated question and answer period. Key points of discussion included the current situation for township youths in South Africa, how performing arts non-governmental organizations (NGO) have provided vulnerable youths with a safe place, and how the skills learned in these programs have had a positive impact on their lives.

‘Lose the Act’: pedagogical implications drawn from transgender and non-binary learners’ experiences of schooling

ABSTRACT The majority of LGBT research in schools has focused almost exclusively on sexuality diversity, leaving the experiences of transgender and gender diverse youth a much neglected area of scholarly inquiry. Using qualitative in‐depth interviews, we explore the schooling experiences of transgender and non-binary youth in South Africa. Our findings highlight that transgender and non-binary youth face hostile schooling climates where discrimination, misgendering and exclusion punctuate their experience of schooling. What also emerges is that they are expected to forego their felt gender embodiment and expression and assimilate to the dominant cisnormative schooling culture. Our research, a first of its kind on trans and non-binary school attending youth in South Africa, has implications for educators, curriculum and pedagogy and points to the need for more work to understand how gender diverse youth can be supported in schools. It also points to the need for further studies that are inclusive of gender diverse youth.

Preventable deaths among youth in South Africa: Measuring life expectancy in the absence of non-communicable diseases and its implications for the healthcare system.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause premature mortality among youth. Associated with lifestyle and behavioural choices, these diseases and deaths can and should be prevented among young people. This article presents data showing the gains in life expectancy among youth in the absence of NCD causes of death. To estimate the levels of NCD mortality among youth (15 - 24 years of age) in South Africa (SA) and show the current and projected additional years of life gained with the elimination of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. This was a cross-sectional study using 20 years of death notification forms from SA (1997 - 2016). The data were nationally representative and the sample was 62 395 youth deaths (age 15 - 24 years) from the selected NCDs. Cause-specific mortality rates, expressed as percentages, were estimated by age group and sex. Cause-deleted life-table techniques were used to estimate current and projected life expectancy (ex) and life expectancy in the absence of specific NCDs (e-ix). Death rates from NCDs are increasing over time among youth. Total death rates from cancer increased from 1.09% in 1997 - 2001 to 1.51% in 2012 - 2016. Female death rates from heart disease are almost double those for males. The number of additional years of life gained with elimination of these causes ranges from 2.2 to 10.3. Projected life expectancies show that males could gain as much as 1additional year and females 1.06 years by 2035. Urgent action needs to be taken to prevent further mortality from non-communicable causes among youth. The results of this study are important to the SA healthcare system and to public health practitioners whose aim is to reduce the strain on public resources and reduce mortality among youth. Future studies should estimate the extent of NCD mortality in households and communities with the aim of developing macro-level interventions.

Food insecurity and depression: a cross‐sectional study of a multi‐site urban youth cohort in Durban and Soweto, South Africa

To assess the prevalence of food insecurity and the independent association between depression and food insecurity among youth living in two urban settings in South Africa. Baseline cross-sectional survey data was analysed from a prospective cohort study conducted between 2014 and 2016 among youth (aged 16-24years) in Soweto and Durban. Interviewer-administered questionnaires collecting socio-demographic, sexual and reproductive health and mental health data were conducted. Household food insecurity was measured using the 3-item Household Hunger Scale, with food insecure participants defined as having 'moderate' or 'severe hunger' compared to 'no hunger'. Depression was assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D 10) Scale (range 0-30, probable depression≥10). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between depression and food insecurity. There were 422 participants. Median age was 19years (interquartile range [IQR] 18-21) and 60% were women. Overall, 18% were food insecure and 42% had probable depression. After adjustment for socio-demographic variables (age, gender, female-headed household, household size and school enrolment), participants with probable depression had higher odds of being food insecure than non-depressed participants (2.79, 95%CI 1.57-4.94). Nearly one-fifth of youth in this study were food insecure. Those with probable depression had increased odds of food insecurity. Interventions are needed to address food insecurity among urban youth in South Africa, combining nutritional support and better access to quality food with mental health support.

South African LGBTPQ Youth: The Perceptions and Realities of Coming out and Parental Reactions

The study engages with several lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual and queer (LGBTPQ) identifying youth in South Africa to explore their perceptions and realities regarding coming out to their parents and parental reactions. In-depth interviews were utilized to engage with the 17 participants, aged 19 to 32 years old, all of whom were students at the same university in South Africa. The study found that participants who have not come out tended to view coming out as a problematic act that reproduces the heteronormative discourse of sexuality in which heterosexuality is normalized, while same-sex sexuality is seen as odd and as deviant. The study also found that many participants perceived coming out as an individual choice. However, the choice of whether or not to come out, when to come out, and which parent to come out to, is dependent on 1. the nature of the relationship the participants have with their parents, and 2. perceived parental reactions. Analysis reveals how religion, gender norms based on heteronormativity, and parent-child relationship dynamics intersect to shape participants’ perceptions regarding parental reactions. This intersectionality also shaped the realities of coming out. Such realities involved a variety of reactions from parents, including acceptance, rejection, forms of violence, and silence. Parents reacting with silence was a common, yet complex experience among the participants. The participants’ experiences suggest ways through which they could be empowered to cope better with their parents’ silence and other non-supportive reactions.

Rural voices: A social-ecological perspective on factors influencing youth substance use in rural South africa.

Youth can be a positive force for development when provided with the knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive, yet they continue to experience insurmountable challenges, such as poverty and absentee fathers, that prompt them to resort to risk behaviours such as substance use. In rural South Africa, women tend to be the breadwinners and more involved with parenting than men. The primary objective of the study was to explore perspectives of rural youth on factors influencing youth participation in substance use. The secondary objective was to obtain the perspectives of adult women on factors influencing substance use among young people. The qualitative study, informed by a social-ecological framework, utilised a semi-structured interview protocol in focus group discussions in rural South Africa. Seven focus group discussions, each with between 8 and 15 individuals were conducted with 79 youth. The eighth discussion was with nine adult women. Data were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim, manually coded and further analysed into themes using NVivo 12. Four themes emerged: hopelessness and lack of motivation, lack of adult role models such as father, lack of built environment for recreational activities and lack of educational opportunities. The social-ecological model provided a useful framework to understand the findings. In line with this model, rural youth in South Africa described a variety of factors that influenced youth substance use and other risk behaviours. These related to the individual, relationships with others, community and societal norms and values factors of the social-ecological model. The broadening spectrum of substances available to an increasing youth population bulge in Africa suggests a strong threat of social and disease burden due to substance use disorders. Given this threat, this study provides awareness to a multi-systems approach needed to support the rural South African youth.

Manganyi, Calvin/Liebenberg, Ian/Potgieter, Thean (eds), South Africa and Romania: transition to democracy and changing security paradigms. Durban: Just Done Productions 2013, 376 pp.

This volume is based on NRF-funded research cooperation between the Institute for Political Studies of Defence and Military History in Bucharest and the Faculty of Military Science at Stellenbosch University, dealing with the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. It discusses the transition to multi-party democracy, the consequent changes in the security environment and the current role and defensive posture of these countries in their respective regions. All contributions are abstracted separately in the introductory chapter (pp 1-11). The specific chapters discuss the joint experiences and challenges in facing the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy (1. Liebenberg, I: "Transition from Authoritarian Rule to Democracy": 13-36; 2. Sasz, P V: "Transition to Democracy in Romania": 37-57; 4. Mangayani, C: "The Role of Youth in South Africa's Transition": 87-121), the reform of the armies (3. Ionesco, M: "Transition, Alliances and Military Reform in Romania in the post-Cold War Period": 59-86; 5. Ferreira, R: "South Africa: From Apartheid Army to a Post-Apartheid Defence Force": 123-135; 7. Mangayani, C: "Structures for Political Oversight of the Military": 171-204; 8. Otu, P: "Military Reform in Romania": 205-231) as well as the repositioning of Romania's security strategy (6. Cioculescu, S: "Romania's National Security Strategy in the Post-Cold War Period": 137-170). South Africa's change in strategy concerning its interests in the Indian Ocean is the main focus of T Potgieter in chapter 10 (pp 267-305)and Romania's status within the Euro-Atlantic security architecture after the end of the Cold War and its entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU) has been dealt with by Carmen Rijnoveanu in chapter 11 (pp307-340). Worthy of special attention is chapter 9 (Liebenberg, I: "The Arms Industry, Reform and Civil-Military Relations in South Africa": 233-266), bridging the purchase of arms and ammunition during the inter-war years (1919-1939) to the period of World War II (1939-1945) and even further to the establishment of South Africa's own defence industry under apartheid rule (1948-1989), emphasising the enormous cost of maintaining a military superiority in southern Africa paving the way for South Africa's economic decline by the end of the 1980s and leading to the political demise of apartheid in the 1994 elections. In chapter 12 ("Waves of Change, Military-Political Reorientation, Economic Alliances and Uncertain Futures": 341-357), the editors make a comparison Strategic Review for Southern Africa, Vol 38, No 2 Book Reviews 181 of the different starting positions of both countries and the national security strategies that emerged from it.

Substance use and depressive and anxiety symptoms among out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Cape Town, South Africa.

There is a high prevalence of substance use among youth in South Africa (SA), and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) experience high rates of depression and anxiety. Substance use behaviours and mental health are associated with other public health problems among AGYW such as HIV and unintended pregnancy. Therefore, understanding the relationship between substance use and mental health is imperative to improve AGYW's health. To examine the association between heavy drinking, marijuana, methamphetamine and methaqualone (Mandrax) use and depressive and anxiety symptoms among AGYW aged 16 - 19 years who have dropped out of school in Cape Town, SA. Data for this report come from the baseline data of 500 participants of an ongoing cluster-randomised trial assessing the efficacy of a young woman-focused intervention to reduce substance use and HIV risk. After AGYW consented/assented to participate, they completed a urine drug screen and a baseline questionnaire. Logistic and negative binomial regressions, controlling for clustering at the neighbourhood level, revealed that frequency of depressive symptoms was significantly and positively related to a positive drug screen for Mandrax (β=0.07; p=0.03). All other associations between the frequency of depressive symptoms and substance use were not statistically significant (ps>0.05). The associations between frequency of anxiety symptoms and substance use were not statistically significant (ps>0.05). Our findings highlight the need to address substance use, especially Mandrax use and its associated risk, and depression in an integrated, youth-friendly setting.

Non-communicable disease comorbidities (NCDCs) among youth in South Africa: the causal contribution of not being in school or work and other socioeconomic characteristics

The purpose of this study is to examine the causal factors associated with non-communicable disease comorbidity (NCDC) development among youth in South Africa. Data are from the South African National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) in 2007 and 2017. In 2007, 1103 youths had one NCD and 297 had developed NCDC by 2017. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of youth are controlled for, and frequency distributions are used to show the profile of youth with NCDCs. A logistic regression model showing odds ratios (OR) is fit to determine the causal factors. More females (55.06%) than males (41.07%) develop NCDC. Further, in 2017, 91.25% of youth who were not in school and not employed had NCDC. The likelihood of NCDC progression is higher for those not in education and not employed (OR: 1.455, CI: 1.256079–1.692377), females (OR: 1.343; CI: 0.843291–1.503960), and youth with no medical aid or insurance (OR: 1.245, CI: 1.013948–1.502166). The results of this study highlight social inequalities that need to be addressed in order for youth who are already diagnosed with one NCD to prevent further disease development. Policies and programmes engaged in the National Health Insurance debate should be aware that through non-medical responses, the potential strain of NCDCs on the system could be prevented.

Social network determinants of alcohol and tobacco use: A qualitative study among out of school youth in South Africa.

An important determinant of alcohol and tobacco use is the adolescent's social network, which has not been explored among out of school youth (OSY). OSY are adolescents not currently enrolled in school and have not completed their schooling. This study aims to qualitatively understand how OSY's social networks support or constrain alcohol and tobacco use. Respondent-driven sampling was used to select 41 OSY (aged 13-20 years) for individual in-depth interviews in a South African urban area. The data were analysed using content analysis. Smoking and drinking friends, family close in age to OSY that drank and smoked, and lack of parental support were associated with alcohol and tobacco use among OSY. Household norms, romantic partners and non-smoking or non-drinking friends were suggested to mitigate alcohol and tobacco use. Understanding how the social network of OSY plays a role in alcohol and tobacco use is useful for gaining an insight into the profile of OSY at risk for alcohol and tobacco use. Registration of OSY youth and community-based peer led programmes that include influential OSY family and friends could be beneficial.

Illustrating school-to-work transition through drawings: An exploratory study with a sample of South African students

Orientation: Unemployment is a matter of great concern within the South African context.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of students who are in preparation to enter the labour market, to generate data about students’ experiences of being unemployed and to explore the usefulness of diagrams as a data generation tool in exploring such experiences.Motivation for the study: There is need to understand transition experiences of unemployed youths in South Africa and the basis for making interventions.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach utilising a participatory research design technique was used.Main findings: Three main drawings are illustrated that express students’ concern regarding this transition. These drawings heighten the focus on (1) individual evaluation of students as they make the transition, (2) evaluation of the university enrolment experience and (3) students’ concern about their future, albeit the high unemployment rate in South Africa.Managerial/practical implications: Through the reflections from the drawings, suggestions are made to assist researchers, career counsellors and students.Contribution/value-addition: This article contributes to the literature on the use and need of using the visual methodology as a part of data generation, especially when working with vulnerable students.

The effect of family and neighbourhood social capital on youth mental health in South Africa

IntroductionDespite the prevalence of mental illness among young adults in South Africa, few studies have examined its correlation with social capital using nationally representative data. Sources of social capital are different for youth, which is why understanding the correlation between family and neighbourhood social capital and mental health outcomes is important for designing optimal interventions. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between social capital and youth mental health. We also sought to understand whether family social capital was more protective for the mental health of youth compared to neighbourhood social capital. MethodsUsing the National Income Dynamics Survey data for South Africa, we examine these associations among 2307 youth aged 15–24 across the four waves. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine these associations. ResultsOur findings emphasize the substantial burden of mental illness among youth in South Africa (26% in wave 4). Although results for parental presence were not significant, family social capital measured by household income significantly decreased the odds of incident depression only for those belonging to the third quintile (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.54–1.01). High perception of crime in the neighbourhood was associated with significantly higher odds of incident depression (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06–1.67). ConclusionsOur results confirm the independent effect of neighbourhood characteristics on youth mental health and did not support family social capital as being protective for developing depression. This implies that youth program planners must focus on community context in improving youth developmental outcomes such as mental health.

Exploring adult basic education and training as a transformative learning space for alienated out-of-school youth in South Africa

Adult education and training (AET) was always a neglected part of South African education. In the mid-1990s, the South African government sought to change this by introducing a number of policies that prepared the way for adult basic education (ABET) to become part of the formal educational system, and to attain its official status as a formally recognised qualification pathway. In 2013, the government’s redistributive response to this pathway’s past marginalisation was to incorporate AET in the national qualifications framework (NQF) as a system parallel to basic education for children. These policies introduced a shift in the function of AET from providing opportunities for the acquisition of literacy, especially for ethnically marginalised adults, to offering a formal qualification and the opportunity for out-of-school youth to improve their work opportunities. This changed status of AET created a second-chance educational opportunity for out-of-school youth to complete their general education as well as an opportunity to further their education. An interesting phenomenon is that, whereas these youthful, non-traditional AET students had a troubled history with formal schooling, they seem to be successful in AET. Based on her narrative interviews with youthful, non-traditional AET learners, the author of this article looks at how they navigate second-chance education and investigates what facilitates these learners’ educational success.