Corona virus and the youth

THE coronavirus pandemic has wrecked national economies and even at an individual level, the effect has been overwhelming. The impact on the youth has been felt as well as many are forced to stay home in the wake of closed schools and colleges. This means that most of the youth have little to do. Many have turned to social media to voice their frustrations. But should this covid defeat us? No. The pandemic is here but it has not limited mankind’s ability to think. We, as  a people need to adapt and make use of available resources to survive the pandemic. The hope is in the youth. They are more resilient and should be leading the innovation field. Can youths create employment opportunities? Most definitely. Any person of sound mind can create employment opportunities.  This is why the education syllabus in our schools must be useful and practical. The country should not just churn out graduates who only want to be employed and not to start a business to employ others. There is need therefore to focus our education on producing graduates with a mindset that focuses on positivity and job creation. Therefore as youths prepare to protest to ask for recognition in national issues, the focus should not be on attacking people but identifying issues that must be tackled. Attack issues not personalities.  Donot get defeated before you try. Try and try again. That is the tenacity that our youth should have. That should be their driving force. Indeed youths in the country  must focus on personal and national development in the face of devious elements in society As we draw closer to the election period, more and more people will turn to the youth. Not to help them, but to entice them into doing illegal activities. This is what the youth must guard against. Some of those enticing them, will be church leaders but with definite agenda. Most often, the leaders will leave their families and target youths gullible enough to be used in illegal activities. As a result, youths, most of whom without knowing, may get into an overdrive and start orchestrating an agenda which could disrupt public order. Youths, therefore, must remain cautious and always examine every statement from politically inclined Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), activists and other individuals. However, it is clear that youths in Zambia are facing woes including unemployment and a shrinking entrepreneurship space; they are struggling. While seeking better opportunities, the youth must stay clear of wolves that are baying around for their “services.” The Zambian youth must read through the schemes from pretenders that have nothing to lose in an event that hell breaks loose in the country. The opportunities are there for any youth to utilize. Some have discovered ‘gold’ on social media. They are making a living by creating and sustaining an interactive audience that earns them money from social media providers. It is smart.  Others are tiling the land and enjoying the fruits of their labour by selling maize and other crops on open market. That is the youth who will run this country. Those who dare to dream and actualize. Positive thinking The Sun