Graduates urged to own the future

Director-General Dr Cassius Reginald Lubisi.

Image credit: The Presidency

"I urge our graduates to be fired with renewed enthusiasm to practically change our country for the better, as active citizens participating in concrete development programmes, as the National Development Plan enjoins us to do," Dr Lubisi said.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at the North-West University on Thursday, he said the skills and knowledge of the graduates were needed to strengthen the state's machinery to advance sustainable development.

"This is critical for our country's quest to advance research and development, which is the bedrock of innovation and economic growth," Dr Lubisi said.

He said the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences have a critical role to play in realizing the country's Vision 2030.

"Our new graduates will be available to help take forward the work that the country is doing to promote inclusive growth and development," Dr Lubisi said.

He encouraged graduates to bring new ideas into the working environment, saying those going into the public service should come with new ideas of how to serve people diligently, with care and efficiency.

"They should bring new ideas of how to improve and hasten the pace of delivering services," Dr Lubisi said.

He urged graduates to start their own businesses as government is prioritising support for small businesses.

"Township and informal sector businesses in particular will be supported, thus using the SMME development programme to boost broad-based black economic empowerment.

"We urge young people to look for opportunities and ensure that they benefit from the focus on youth development support," Dr Lubisi said.

He said there are various opportunities for young people to obtain learnerships and internships to gain experience, including youth employment schemes supported by the government.