Thabang feels that young people should focus more on working together to create an impact within their communities. He says young people have the capability to build companies and create platforms that will enable them to learn, prosper and help solve the problems we have as a country.

Name: Thabang Kingsley Matladi

Job title: PhD Studentship

What do you think the future holds for you as a young person?

I feel as young people we should focus more on how we can impact and improve our country and people in our communities. In my future, I would like to empower others and help them realise their dreams.

What kind of future do you envision for the country and how do you think the youth can help shape it?

I would like to see the country more united and people working together to build companies and creating platforms for young people to learn and prosper. The youth could start by creating their own communities to solve different problems we have as a country.

South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates among the youth. If you were tasked with helping to find solutions to address this issue, what would they be?

I would start teaching programmes for the youth to change their mindset of looking for a job but rather instill the concept of creating their own businesses and creating jobs themselves. If we look at the challenges we have, the youth could use their skills to solve some of those challenges and create jobs in the process.

Name one great achievement you are most proud of.

Completing my Master of Engineering (MEng)

Name one young person whose work you are inspired by.

I do not really have one person that I have been inspired by. I know some people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and to see them succeeding and making an impact in their different fields inspires me a lot.