Transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, recently found himself in hot water after urging South Africans to take part in the Sarafina dance challenge in commemoration of Youth Day.
The dance routine was performed by actress Leleti Khumalo and her Imbewu: The Seed cast members, who stole the hearts of South Africans as they re-enacted the 1992 film, Sarafina. This iconic movie focused on the struggles of South African students fighting for their education.
However, while social media users appreciated the original video, and the intention behind it, they expressed frustration towards Mbalula, who asked South Africans to join the challenge, TimesLive reports.
The team of ImbewuThe Seed have done something phenomenal to commemorate the youth of 1976.
Let’s join them and take part in the challenge??.
#imbewuchallenge pic.twitter.com/HKlFcYbHXs— |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) June 15, 2021
These frustrated South Africans outlined unemployment, crime and corruption, expressing that the minister should challenge his colleagues to create employment for the youth instead.
Here’s what Twitter users had to say:
74% youth is unemployed https://t.co/JBkGLvgfB3
— Culprit (@CulpritEnter) June 16, 2021
The little energy we have left is for job hunting.
I can even polish all your shoes. https://t.co/N6izbMzRsF
— Sah Gigaba (@NginguSah) June 16, 2021
Just create jobs for the unemployment youth and don’t create hashtags . Yoh niyalapisa Fikile https://t.co/gmtaEea2am
— NKOSAZANA YAKWA XHOSA ?? (@nkosazana_the) June 16, 2021
Why ningenzi a challenge of job creation, or not stealing money? https://t.co/vufXbVqttF
— Mother Zaba Simbine ?️? (@KweenZaba) June 16, 2021
Meanwhile, according to SowetanLive, Khumalo observed positive mental health as an area of concern among today’s youth.
“I believe that there is such a big difference between us, the 70s kids and the youth of today.
“I tend to feel sorry for them because they suffer from more peer pressure that we did.
“They need constant guidance. There is a lot of youth suicide, and it shows you how important mental health is. They are facing a lot,” she said.
Picture: Supplied