Our Youth, Our Future: Empowering Society's Main Change Agents
The month of June plays a significant role in South Africa in reminding us about our future - our youth. Youth Day pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the estimated 20,000 students that formed part of the Soweto Uprising. Honoring the lives lost while celebrating the bravery and hope borne out of tragedy.
Giving the youth hope today goes further than sending them motivational quotes; it's about #DoingSomethingGreat in their lives and uplifting them, giving them a platform to learn, grow from and succeed.
As Nelson Mandela said the Youth are our future and therefore "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."
The Youth Unemployment Crisis
According to StatsSA, in the last quarter of 2021, the country saw the highest unemployment rate on record at 35.3%. This implies that almost one in every two young people in the labour force did not have a job in the first quarter of 2021. Although there was a slight decline in the number of unemployed youth in quarter one of 2022, it is still absolutely devastating that the youth of our country remain vulnerable.
The Maharishi Institute Partnership
The Maharishi Institute is a non-profit organization established in June 2007 in order to develop a new generation of young leaders for South Africa. It provides financial access to qualifications through distance education while students gain work experience.
The Maharishi Institute enriches the distance education learning experience by providing comprehensive support services, including work experience, infrastructure access, bridging programs, and self-development programs. It is a deep human transformation institute supporting students' intellectual, emotional, and physical growth.
DSG partnered with Maharishi Institute to set up a contact center facility on campus on the 5th floor so the students do not have to leave the University based in downtown Johannesburg to gain work experience, earn, and 'pay it forward.'
DSG offers an integrated Customer Experience, which seeks to drive consistent, unique, and differentiated customer experiences across all channels. We have a proven track record and industry recognised approach to managing customer experience in the past 23 years, winning numerous awards including the Best Outsource Partnership with Nando's in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
DSG works with the Maharishi Institute to offer students the opportunity to earn an income by working part time in the contact center, with a possibility of full-time employment after graduation and a career path to grow in the organisation.
A Holistic Approach to Youth Development
One of the many things that are inspiring about the Maharishi Institute is that it is not your normal learning institute. For example, the students start their day with yoga and meditation, helping them to get in touch with their "authentic" self and allowing them to relax and be more centered.
The founder and CEO of Maharishi Institute, Dr Taddy Blecher, described the opportunity: "The only way we can really end poverty in South Africa is by developing the most under-developed resource in this country - human assets. Every student is a genius waiting to happen."
The Maharishi Institute is focused on the growth of its students and their employability. It's about hearts and minds, purpose, and knowledge. It's about giving our future leaders the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.