The State of the Nation Address set out to address the issues affecting South Africa as a whole, one which works based on the collaboration of the country’s government to move it forward.
Now we gear up for the provincial government to address citizens on how its contribution in aiding with the pressing issues within each province will serve to uplift and develop the people, various institutions and the economy.
Earlier this year, Gauteng Premier David Makhura announced that underused government buildings will be converted into student accommodation at universities and colleges in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Most of the issues raised by students center around the student accommodation.
These were among the issues raised and that students expect the premier to touch on during his address:
- Students are still without funding and for some of those who have access to funding, funding is not enough to cover their educational expenses.
- Students are still sleeping in libraries due to lack of accommodation
- A concerning percentage of Students who have graduated are still without jobs
- A lot of degrees offered to students are theory focused and offer little or no practical or work experience
- Student’s traveling from far due to the lack of student residents.
- Students looking for companies and private sectors that cater to different fields to collaborate with institutions for work experience and skills training purposes.
- A sufficient number of “A” students from the secondary level are unable to register to study at varsity, even though they do qualify.
- The inability of university degrees to prepare them for the workplace.
- In every field, students should be exposed to the possibilities and successes of venturing into entrepreneurship within their field of study.
The SOPA will take place on the 1st of July 2019 at the Univerisity of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus. The Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura will be addressing the province about the plans set out by the government to grow the greater Gauteng.
