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Poverty

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Submitted By amyd
Words 1060
Pages 5
Amitha Doodnath
Grade 11D
Student Number 11050
Business Studies Assignment – Assessing the Problem of unemployment
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Unemployment is a cancer that creeps into the lives of the citizens of South Africa and cripples the nation. Unemployment is growing day by day and if we are unable to do anything to stop this disease from destroying our nation, it is almost certain that South Africa will end up as another Zimbabwe. Personally, I believe that this cancer can be cured as long as the government and the community work hand in hand to eradicate this problem. The government is often criticised for not delivering on its promises, however, if the citizens of the country sit back and do nothing to improve their standard of living or turn to crime as a way out, they will be just as much to blame for the country’s lack of progress with regard to economic development.

If I was placed in the position where I was an unemployed youth in South Africa, I would not allow myself to be forced into a life of crime by my socio-economic background. The best way to earn a living is honestly. At almost every streetlight, the presence of an unemployed South African wielding a cardboard sheet asking for food or money makes your heart drop. These people are the result of South Africa’s discriminatory history, however, by standing at the street corner and begging they are doing no one any favours. They are not earning a sufficient income to meet their basic needs, they are not contributing toward the betterment of the country in terms of economic growth in any way, and they are not using their talents to create job opportunities.

South Africa is currently the 23rd largest economy in the world, up from 35th in 2002. The economy has been growing by over 3% every year, with unemployment being one of the only major blemishes on our road to

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