Can talent rescue Kenyan youth from Unemployment?
Kihu, an economist and founder of The Bizconomist Journal suggests that a young person in Kenya has three options of breaking out of poverty or become financially independent —education, entrepreneurship and talent.
Initiatives such as the 30 per cent procurement rule meant to benefit the youth, women and disabled persons were swept away by corruption. Therefore, the young person is left with good ideas but no capital to actualise them. Social media has been instrumental in showcasing young talents. Youths such as actor-comedian Desagu have climbed through this ladder.
Education was traditionally and is still regarded as the key to success. Our system is, however, designed like a bottleneck. The number of formal jobs has been on the decline. According to the KNBS, the number of formal jobs decreased from 19 per cent in 2009 to 16.6 per cent in 2017.
Discovering what you can do best without a lot of hustle and bustle is the only way out. Gone are the days when education was the key, now talent is the key. Thanks to social media displaying it has become much easier.
Sadly we are the Adam and Eve of the social media generation and in its garden of negativity and positivity lies in the middle, the forbidden fruit. The fruit, comparison and competition that is so sweet amongst the youths. Social media platforms have been turned into life achievement scorecards.
The truth is talent and using the right channels can get the youth started. All it requires is content and consistency, like mentioned, Desagu and many others like the guys from vines of Africa (Seth-gor, George Kimani, Sharon Mwangi).
Having great content is unmatched on the social media scenes as it will keep one on top of the game despite what you have termed as the “forbidden fruit.”
Sam Muregz
As a full-time artist, one of the reasons art isn’t giving employment is due to a lack of structures and business mindset.
If I started any business, I will think of need then wonder how my skill/knowledge/education can solve the skill. A few years later, I will either get someone knowledgeable in the market to think strategies or I will employ technical people to do the work. I will impart my knowledge as I become CEO etc.
In art, we start with how good we are and ask people to support us. We do not know basic business concepts like solving a need, Identifying target markets, targeted marketing, pricing etc, then when we aren’t supported, we will go on social media and put up hashtags, you know, playmusicke?
Employment is created by business, not pity. Business grows with strategy.
And yes, some artistes may get that fame for a while, but just like any other business, without meeting needs and having the right strategies, the world will forget about you and move to the next.
Wellingtone Edaki
In total agreement with you Sam Muregz.
Manser Thelua
Structure and business seems like an individual problem.
Phanice Wamukota
I say lucky is the person who can invest in the area of their education which happens to be aligned with their talent! As they say, this person will never work a day in their life. Life being what it is though, I hope one of this i.e Education, entrepreneurship or talent helps someone me included. Otherwise, poverty is a bitch.
Precious Wamau
Talent won’t pay you. It is the skills to utilise and tap into what you have that will make you stand out. Talent is not = to money.
Peter Mwanzia
I agree with you Wellingtone Edaki talent is useless without skills. Sad enough, education does not teach us life skills. That is why I don’t understand when Phanice Wamukota says we need to invest in Education. With all the empty PHD’s out here! 🙂
Wellingtone Edaki
Not necessarily.Talent itself is not enough.Other skills and works need to accompany talent to make it an income geberating venture.This include an marketing and branding skills, management team,money for expenditure and revenue return and investors.Otherwise one will reach a dead end.