By Kabela Sumba.BSc. Eng.
81 million youths around the world were jobless at the end of 2009 and this year the figure will continue to rise. This is contained in a recent United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) report published on 11th August, 2010. More youths have returned to their parents’ homes in the months following the global economic recession than ever before.
“Come to Zambia, jobs are there, people are buying cars. Come and help build your country. You graduates are the future of our nation, come. There are jobs everywhere for university graduates.” These were the words of one Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Honourable Clement Sinyinda, at a meeting with students of the Zambian Students’ Union in St. Petersburg on Sunday, 18th May 2008.
The situation on the ground paints a picture very different from these remarks. Zambia is on the verge of a social crisis fuelled by poverty, unrest, corruption, political violence, the HIV/AIDS scourge and unemployment.
There has been a great feeling of resentment among the Zambian youth of today and most of the jobless actually think that the problem is with the current government, which has failed to provide opportunities for young, optimistic and vibrant workers. They instead print cooked up figures about ‘single digit inflation at 9.9%’, the Kwacha ‘gaining slightly’ against the dollar and a whole lot more junk information which cannot put food on the table. Graduates have been forced to rely on the income of their parents, as if paying their school fees for more than 15 years was not enough.
Furthermore, in Zambia, unlike in European countries, there is no job-seeker’s allowance to cushion the costs of printing job applications, mailing and travelling to attend interviews.
Shouldn’t the youth be compensated? They most certainly should. Youths intend to unite across the country and press Cabinet Office and the government Ministry of Labour for these potential earnings.
For most jobs, adverts appear after a secret selection has been made internally, then, to make it look transparent, a mockery vacancy is advertised in the papers. Mockery interviews are set up and only ‘successful candidates are communicated to’. At every place of work, employers will ask you for ‘experience’. One now wonders whether this actually means “Who do you know in management?”
Not everyone is jobless though; there are many opportunities for students of accounting. Wouldn’t this imply that there’s money in the country if there are so many people counting it?
Youths are now very desperate; they will even resort to receiving money from ruling or opposition politicians in return for hurting the opponents of these politicians. Some may have already resorted to other vices such as prostitution and cocaine transportation in human body cavities. The levels of desperation among the youth are very dangerous for a young democracy.
However, with time on your side, one may engage in sporting activities. You can write articles and books; read books; attended all free conferences, register as voters and change your destiny; don’t only think outside the box, be outside of the box; rediscover the talents and skills you have always possessed but never bothered to develop.
Or, you could sleep all day and complain a lot, drink uncontrollably, or wait patiently for the end of the world, but keep in mind that for every action or inaction there is a consequence.
People in the Diaspora, if you can do so legally, stay there, don’t come back to be a burden on your poor parents. To everyone else, do not believe those fake politicians who promise you jobs or anything else, a politician will always be a politician and nothing more, they have fallen. He who is lying down cannot fall any further. They do not feel your sufferings while they receive allowances for sitting at fruitless workshops, they don’t feel weak from hunger when they stop for breakfast at Hotel Intercontinental. They don’t feel the heat of the African sun beating upon their foreheads for they are driven around in big air-conditioned GRZ Land Cruisers. Do not believe them, only believe in yourself.
ba lt sure how can this be headline?! eh? u have run out of news imwe? muposeko amano. awe anything zambians do is useless. no bring on dual citizenship please, twalema!
Well done Kabela, Concise article! I applaud your zeal.
Job seekers allowance you say? Heck,no.This will be the start of welfare.Many will be tempted to collect benefits while earning from unregistered jobs or earning from other vices.Besides,once on it alot of folks will be there pamanently for years.Tell me where GRZ will get all this money from with so many schools in neeed of fixing?
no doubt the answer to all the problems outlined above lies in the hands of Mr Sata. Give him 90 days and all the problems of poverty, corruption, HIV/AIDS etc will all be gone!
what a question……..it can not materialize in this corrupt nation….we need to clean up the system before we could even think of that.
EARTH TO AUTHOR PLEASE , the government depends on donors for more than 60percent of the budget. So speaking realistically where will job seeker’s compensation come from. I’m not a supporter of the current regime but we have to be realistic Unfortunately Zambia is not a developed country to the stage that it can provide that kind of compensation. furthermore Not to sound condescending but If you are a person who followed current affaris you wud have known the state of affairs in Zed as it stands today.Unfortunately you are a victim of this unfortunate situation. Sometimes I think in Zed we spend a lot of time in our books hoping that we will be employed such that we never spend any of our student time planning for our future in case it doesnt turn out as we planned.
#6 You are very right. Even in the rich countries, they are trying to find ways of cutting the welfare bill as it is too costly, what more for a country like Zambia?
This problem is very depressing for us who are sponsoring these graduates. Imagine after paying over 6 million per semister at UNZA after this young man graduates he comes back home and becomes a dependant another 2 or 3 years before he get a job. On this one the MMD has totally failed and I’m a very upset parent. I cant wait to vote out MMD.
This is a great article though I beg to differ on the issue of introducing job seekers allowance.It is not feasible for a country like ours but that aside a permanent solution needs to be found to arrest the current trend! The future belongs to us the youth, so let us start by taking matters into our hands, let us get actively involved in politics and assume leadership positions to bring about change.Secondly government should amend legislation to allow Zambians take up more jobs as opposed to what is happening where so called investors are coming with a whole bunch of people from their countries, a good example is KCM as we have just been reading some few days ago!
Oh yes it can be funded, just ask the donors.
V.J Rigger PhD.MSc.MBA.MCD.FCCA.FZICA.LZICA.TZICA.BA Acc.
No.6 – Mukwa ginger brandy – well said
It is a novel idea, but what percentage of the population is in gainful, taxable employment from which this noble idea can be funded? That is the unfortunate problem we have. In a society where we cannot afford to care for AIDS oprhans, these Western ideas have little credence.
If ba rupiah can travel almost evry week,ba chiluba can buy k10m suits from italy,ministers get 4-5mil in allowance 4 one sittin and travelin 50km,if unza has billions in reserves,if management in parastatals is getin k30m gross 4 a nine hour job,if doctors and others can steal from dying people WHAT THE HELL SHOUT STOP THEM FROM SUPORTIN HARDWORKIN INDIVIDUALS LIKE GRADUATES.U so used to living under poor conditions that u dont recognise a good thing.Whether we depend on foreign aid is not the issue,the issue is survival its the same unza student with ther intelligence that wil start planin 2 rob u if he cant find a job.PUT THEM ON ALLOWANCES THIS COUNTRY IS NOT POOR WE JUS HAVIN POOR LEADERSHIP.
What a load of rubbish!! When you graduate you always want to look for a job that suit you qualification (the Zambian way is an office job). Zambian turn their nose up on jobs and now you want job seeker’s allowance. Where is the money going to come from you f.o.o.l?Create your own employment, it is all over Lusaka. You can start with green jobs e.g all the rubbish in Lusaka needs cleaning! Oh are you waiting for foreigners to come and clean that one too?
No.13 – read some basic economics.
we’ve got a lot of dull intellectuals, graduates who live in theory and can’t apply what they learn in the real world. i’ve worked with some and they probably graduated thru crooked means. not only graduates need jobs, even unqualified people need opportunities
Unfortunately, even amongst the most educated, common sense is not so common.
The concerns of the author or genuine but it is rather ironic that us taxpayers paid for this engineer who cannot put a good argument across very well. There are debatable generalizations made which should not come from one who has worn the gown of a graduate. To get to the point, when a program s suggested also suggest how it will be financed. Jobless claims come from the taxpayer through higher taxes. Is this what we want?
Govt idea to reduce employment is to privatise things like ZamTel and put 2500 people out of work! MMD has no plans for the youths and umemployed people of Zambia. So many opportunities yet they are all given away to John Foreigner! The youths should start fighting for thier rights!
Kool article however theMinister of Finance is ****ed up to suggest Banda’s trips can yield 2,000 jobs, coz the logic is simple: ( 2000 jobs x 1000 million kwacha pay per month by Chinese = 2 billion kwacha which is less than the expenditure of ****in lame asss clowns trips if he travels more than twice in a month with an ass bill of more than 2 billion kwacha.So the whole shitee of ****in trips is just a 404.
this article is very true, although i agree with some bloggers to disagree on the issue of job seeker allowance. its a very brilliant idea but unfortunately it cannot work in an economy like ours. what we need is a govn that is committed to providing social amenities to its citizens. goven that will fight corruption and create employment for young people. as someone has mentioned it above, Zamtel has now put 250 people out of employment and people who facilitated this called it a good deal.if this is what some ‘good’ deals can bring then we dont need them. we have chinez people now pushing wheelbarrows in Zambia. chinez people mending potholes etc these are the areas that can create employment for those without qualifications. our govn needs to put the needs of its citizen as #1 priority
Where is the ‘come back home ‘brigade that always tells us to come back because theres so many jobs. Every time i call zambia all I hear is please come back theres so many jobs
Graduates must be creative and come up with ideas and workable inventions that will make money for them and the country. Mostly starting with themselves. Dont just sit on your back side and wait for gorvernment.America is well developed because University gratuates conme up with new inventions. One guy came up with the idea of collecting used cooking oil frm restaurants and purified it and the same is a good substitute for diesel. Wake up guys, try something, pantu nangu umuchenja can sell in hollywood as a teeth whitener.
NO NO NO
If the GRZ hasnt figured of how student can pay back the free money they get while at UNZA and CBU, how will they manage this unemployment fund? This is how corruption is born! Look at the bursaries office corruption! Stop playing ba GRZ ….these are just last kicks before elections! LAZO is GRZ
naulasa mwana.They always show people figures and figures and promise abc but on the ground there is completely nothing like inchito for us.
We are going nor where.
#23 you are right but you also need to understand that for one to start a project he/she needs funds. you cannot start doing something out of nothing or with nothing. the govn in Zambia does not fund such small projects. where will a simple graduate get the money to establish himself if he’s not employed. we need to be realistic about this issue. some university students entirely depending on govn allowances and where do you think such a student would get the money to fund himself/herself to start a project or as you put it workable invention. as at now our gover is not doing enough, actually its doing nothing to help the poor masses. the govn should empower its citizen by giving better opportunities. our govn prefers chines to its own people and make better codtion for foreigners thn…
Very negative article let me bring out some points
The situation on the ground paints a picture very different from these remarks. Zambia is on the verge of a social crisis fuelled by poverty, unrest, corruption, political violence, the HIV/AIDS scourge and unemployment
POVERTY yes but it is reducing notably in urban areas, this can be seen from the increasing construction, number of cars , rentals , service related businesses like restaurants, bars etc.
POLITICAL UNREST, This was only notable in Mufumbwe, since then the country has had two bye elections
UNREST, I have no idea what he is talking about
CORRUPTION, this is indeed a problem
HIV /AIDS and Unemployment, here he is right on. The picture though is that employment prospects for graduates are improving.
There has been…
Cooked UP Figures, there are lot of feelings that CSO information is not reliable but there is general consensus
This is yet another negative and ill informed article and I would call on Kabela Sumba, and others to come home and attend to the nation’s problems. If they are so incensed with the situation they should consider joining the political fray and changing things. Zambia can only be improved by ourselves and this should be done by the most competent and upright members of society.
The very nations where people seek refuge wee not built overnight but were built normally over decades if not centauries by the patriotic citizens
How is an “increase in the number of cars and an increase in rentals” a sign of poverty reducing? Someone enlighten me.
The main theme of this discussion that i would like to pick up on is social welfare debate. Many of you may be right to say that such a system is not workable in Zambia based on the fact that we cannot afford it. That aruguement is fundamentally flawed because technically since our budget is 60% donar funded, we cannot really afford anything. Its more a case of prioritising what we are spending money on. Would money spent on cars for ministers, travel for RB, be better spent on poverty reduction ( albeit donar funded)?
Before we knok an arguement, lets look at it from all angles. With so many people lacking income, would’nt benefits increase disposable income
29 continued … and therefore create demand in the economy which is a key factor for economic growth (More jobs created, More taxes collected, more money for Hospitals and other infrastructure). I am just saying perhaps we need to examine what our ministry of social welfare actually does – afterall, it does get a budgetory allocation.
The money ( handouts or borrowed) is being spent anyway. Wouldn’t that $46mil have been better spent that way.
I welcome open minded discussions and not entrenched standpoints.
Simon, In my view increased economic activiy leads to reduced poverty. It is argued in economics that in order to reduce poverty, you must create wealth. Now increased cars on the streets certainly means that wealth is increasing. Actually among the social development indicators are such things like radio and phone usage/penetration , transport facilities, . To day in Zambia,you have many young peolple including government teachers and many civil servants owning vehicles and building houses . this is largely through the loans schemes provided by many banks. This is certainly wealth creation
On the social welfare program for graduates i entirely dissagree. It is not a prioirity. we should improve the social welfare for vulnerable groups like the elderly. young orphans, handicapped etc
It is very true that money can be usedmore pridently especially in the areas outlined e.g. ministers cars and presidential travel. However the thuth be told both are nessecart evils i.e. ministers need transport and A president has international obligations and programmes
It is very true that money can be used more prudently especially in the areas outlined e.g. ministers cars and presidential travel. However the truth be told both are nessecary evils i.e. ministers need transport and A president has international obligations and programmes
However Government can try to work more effeciently by reducing costs and increasing effectiveness
The problem is caused by the government MMD. They have a lot of recycled politicians who should have retired and create jobs for others but they are still there in RB’s government including himself RB has passed retirement age. MMD government go abroad and hold seminars/workshops to encourage people in the diaspora to go back home. Come home for what? There are no jobs in Zambia except you are a chinese investor who will be selling goods at city market. People in diaspora continue to remain abroad so that you can help your parents with the little you have.
Rhoda that is not true. Every day you have jobs advertsied in the paper. There are not adequate but the jobs are there. Assuming its true that the problem is old politicians then why dont you young pipo take the bull by the horns and join the politics. Dont just throw your hand up in despair and take a helpless stance. no No nO
Zambia will be dveloped by Zambians . If you have answers, if you are a vissionary, if are ready to sacrifice then go for it
Positivists pa zed. agree that If such a system was introduced in Zambia, it should be based more in need rather than anything else. In that respect, i am sure there are far more vulnerable people than just the graduates.
True – Capitalism, in the sense of it meaning private wealth creation – is the best system for fighting poverty. Does this system actually exist anywhere in the world? I doubt that very much. Most europeans visiting zambia for the first time ,when they see the number of cars on our roads often remark at how this seems as if we are a wealthy country. Its only when one goes into rural areas, needs medical services of basic infrastructure that the penny drops.
Having said that, i agree that in terms of priorities for our country, this is not it.
True simon, our economy is quite unique with its own challenges. The are like two diffrent worlds the rural and urban worlds. And even the urban areas are divided into segments.
Well for your information, presently the government has a social welfare scheme that caters for vulnerable sectors. It is under the care of the Ministry of Community Development and is funded mainly by the British Government
Well i am not a strong believer of the capitalist model bit i do believe that in order to consume or raise incomes, you need to produce and the production leads to wealth creation. Now the question is maybe whether the means of production should be in private or Government hands
Great article and all you paticipants. Other than Jobless allowances, most countries are moving towards Educating their citizens to be Entreprenuers when they Graduate. This comes with access to start-up Capital. Problem we have back home is that after school what we think of first is to work for a company or someone else. Not the case in some parts of the world. End of it all Government still plays a role, especially when it comes to citizen empowerments and access to Loans, ofcourse at better rate than the Crazy Zambian interest rates.
Yeah Sheik great contribution. Our education syllabus should center more on entreprenurship. And yes Government should work on making the interest rates more frendly
#23. Creativity with only a degree and no back up doesnt work. I am planning to open a fast food restarant like Mcdonards. I have no cash. Would you mind telling me where I can get the cash(loan) from. I know that if I was employed the bamk would easily entrust me with that loan. My employment being a guarantee that I will pay back or have the ability to pay back. A boy in the USA doesnt or little worries about necesities of life. But we struggle to simple things.
wat a stupid story job seekers allowance in zambia dont let the nigerianz enter the zambia and there will be massive fraud
Nice debate indeed, hope politicians could read what you guys have expounded on this issue. I don’t agree with employment seeker allowances, 100% not viable in Zambia.Reasons; our budget is half funded by donors, corruption in government, they will be no proper system of accountability as someone mentioned some people will be getting this money even when they are working on some informal works.
What we need in Zambia as someone also mentioned is entrepreneural skills to be taught in schools, then a good loan system to support graduate entrepreneurs to start businesses with interest rate below 5%. Second we need the government to give priority to Zambian businesses, say in supplying to government.
#42 continued.
Third, government need to come up with measures to scrutinize the influx of labourers from Asia , some many Chinese, Lebanese, Afgans and Paskitanese in Zambia doing labour jobs that can be given to our unskilled Zambians.
Fourth, the government policy of foreign management to work for 2 years in Zambia after which should groom a Zambian to takeover should be enforced.Graduates should be tied to any foreign manager for the period of 2 years so that they can take over after he leaves.
Etc Etc
Employees in Zambia are being out sourced from South Africa, China, Taiwan and others. Zambia has many minerals like diamonds, cobalt and much more. The problem is non Zambians are planning how everything is done and all minerals are taken out of Zambia without an ordinary Zmbian benefiting in terms of more jobs that can be created by processing these into end products as jewellery, copper cables, etc. These “would be” many industries would employ many Zambians. Zambians are very intelligent people and they can properly manage Zambia themselves. Make Zambians own and manage these resourses and have end products be made in zambia from these resourses. We will see changes then taking place in Zambia in a positive direction. We should stop letting foreign people to manage Zambia. Love…
I disagree with some one, no need to mention name, that graduates do not perform well. If you did not go to school it is better you shut up and go to school. UNZA produces highly capable graduates. “…even the most intelligent students end up bending at UNZA if they relax…” The problem is having uneducated people in many positions, such that they overlook the usefulness of graduates. These Zambian graduates are the life line of Zambia. Use them to develop Zambia. You can not develop without graduates. There is so much they can do. Make every company take them as trainees, because almost all companies are just asking for abnormal years of experience. The Zambian government should come up with a policy for companies to take these graduates to work in their departments.
Many countries like South Africa benefit from many Zambian graduates because there are not so many graduates there. Having many Zambian graduates in Zambia is a blessing and the Zambian government should realise that. For them to have degrees or even diplomas, they are already motivated but the government seems to demotivate them. Create jobs for them, please do that for them. Zambia is a place where they can contribute and be truly happy. Please government make a plan for these graduates. Graduates are a driving force for development. Young people will end up not wanting to go to school if this continues meaning the future will have no light. Mine these minerals for Zambians, not for outsiders. Zambia, be blessed!
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Number 27, i hundrend percent agree with you! Kabela stop misleading the world. What do you mean by political violence, unrest, learn to tell the truth. Zambia is one of the peaceful countries in the world and you should thank God for that. You may talk about other problems and even then they are not as bad as you put it.