Changing Lives with 4ir

Alexandra is one of the poorest urban areas in South Africa[1], where the community is squashed into an area of an astonishing 25,979 people per square km, one of the highest population densities of any township in South Africa[2]. Alexandra is estimated to have more than 20,000 shacks where residents live, some of which are made from cardboard boxes[3]. Over 50% of its residents are unemployed, and this desperation has led Alex to be one of the worst precincts in Gauteng for crime[4].

​

Amid this chaos, youngsters have a slim path out of poverty, and the hardships of life are often too overwhelming for them to believe that a better life is possible. Many youngsters’ minds are understandably rooted in negativity, fear, and frustration. For those lucky enough to make it to their matric year, the stress and anxiety are amplified exponentially, as their first attempt at matric is their best opportunity to achieve a matric certificate and a better life for them and any family they might have.

​

Only 34% of individuals from Alexandra pass matric, and for this small group, opportunities for employment can increase significantly if they are able to attend a tertiary institute. The unemployment rate among individuals with tertiary education is as low as 5%[5]. However, given the rising costs of university or college education and with the average household income in Alexandra just below R 5000, youngsters from Alex can often times only access higher education if they receive a scholarship or loan, requiring even higher academic success and further intensifying the pressure upon school students. 

 

References 

1. Johannesburg Poverty & Livelihood Study 

2. Census 2011

3. Spotlight Africa

4. History of Alexandra

5. Statistics South Africa