My son passed matric at the end of last year and started looking for a job. He was lucky — he found a job in a clothing shop after looking for only three weeks.
But then in March, he was retrenched. The shop wasn’t doing too well so they let him go and just kept the manager.
He started looking for a job immediately. This time he wasn’t so lucky.
One day, he gave out 22 copies of his CV. He didn’t get one phone call for an interview. It’s been four months since my son was retrenched, and he hasn’t earned one cent. Lucky for him, he doesn’t have rent or children to feed yet.
On Wednesday the jobs section in the newspaper had 44 pages. There was nothing for my son. For every job that was advertised, they were looking for people with experience, and people with diplomas and other qualifications.
Everybody wants skills. There are millions of unemployed people in this country, but only the people with skills and experience get jobs.
Now my son knows, if he wants a decent life, he has to get more education. So he’s going to study next year.
Which makes me realise once again how important teachers are.
Without an education, it is impossible to build a life. Without it, you can’t get a job and pay for a roof over your head, or anything else.
So I want to thank all the teachers who have brought my son so far, and those who are going to take him further.
The children you teach will probably never thank you for what you have done for them. As a mother, I thank you.
Maria Grootboom
Gauteng