OYW Southern Africa Caucus Roundup

Jo Pohl (CFO at iOCO, a division of EOH) delivered a powerful Keynote Speech on the context surrounding SDG 8, drawing attention to the devastating impact COVID19 has had on unemployment and decent work in South Africa. She highlighted the stark impact COVID has had on unemployment figures in South Africa, which currently registers the highest unemployment rate in the world with 7.8 million people in 2021.

Jo highlighted that COVID has expedited the need for technological solutions, and how "changing the inequality gaps (caused by COVID) can change the lives of people and add value to society." Ultimately, Jo emphasized how we are all ultimately wired for connection, how "we just need to look inwards and take the time to find these connections again, look at options that will make us feel braver". Ultimately as Marshall McLuhan quoted, "there are no passengers on Planet Earth. We are all crew." On Planet Earth, "no voice is too small and no one is too small to make a difference”

The panel was divided up into 3 main areas of discussion: decent work, youth unemployment, and economic growth.

The Decent Work section emphasized not only safe work conditions but also mental health support in the workplace, touching on the positive effect that diversity and inclusivity have on a safe work environment.

The Youth Unemployment section dissected the barriers to employment for youth as well as solutions to these barriers.

The Economic Growth sector focused on industries with potential for economic growth and how to get people into these job markets.

Not only in South Africa, but all over the world, COVID-19 has put a spotlight on pre-existing social issues, such as intergenerational wealth, social inequalities, unemployment, and the digital divide. These issues have then only worsened with the pandemic. The connection between joblessness, intergenerational wealth and social inequalities has become more evident as a result of COVID-19, but it has also emphasized the role the digital divide plays in adding to inequality.

The panellists are asked varying questions on what makes decent work and they touch on the different factors of a safe work environment. These factors can be summed up as a work environment that is physically and mentally safe, provides job security with a liveable income, a diverse and intersectional environment that allows employees to feel safe speaking up and for them to see themselves represented, etc.

Key takeaways from the panel talk were:

Zengeziwe emphasized the need for "conditions that are safe and secure, equitable, arguing that we should redefine decent work and re-evaluate what the word decent even means" in the world of work. She ultimately argued that decent work is "fair wages and being safe/secure at work." She notably supported safe and decent work environments for women, in particular, encouraging others to legitimize entrepreneurship as something viable and sustainable.

Simonetta pointed out that companies cannot combat youth unemployment alone, pointing to the need for companies and organizations to collaborate. She alsspoke of the importance of inclusivity, so people feel psychologically safe at work. She also shared her own experience of her “coach” pointing out that she could give up/quit or she could pave the way for everyone who comes after her. She could make an impact for the people like her who will come after.

Amanda put the digital divide into the perspective of youth unemployment: She drew attention to the fact that "since the job market is online, prospective employees will likely need a computer and will most definitely need access to the internet, which is a privilege for some whilst not being accessible for everyone". She notably spoke of the potential the farming, creative, and tourism industries have to help with economic growth, and youth unemployment.

Malisha spoke of the importance of psychological safety to create an environment of safety and transparency for people. She also ]drew attention to the assumption most people had that working from home would be safe, but we need to understand that not everyone has that same experience. not like that for everyone. She ultimately argued that there is a "need to address the social and ppi  structural exclusion that exists" to combat youth unemployment. To promote economic growth, she saw the potential in the food/agriculture industry as well as in the technology industry.

Following on from the Panel Q&A section, the final section of the Caucus involved an impactful action hour led by the Rise Against Hunger team, where approximately 7000 meals were packed on the day for kids from underprivileged communities. 

Watch the OYW Southern Africa Caucus highlights video