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.
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.
Yeah one can use his/her talent appropriately to generate income thus reducing the rate of unemployment among youths for example Doing Arts and doing an exhibition on them will certainly give you some income.
People need to think creatively and utilise their talents to full potential.
Yes, talent can help youths create self employment .
Talent is already rescuing Kenyan youth from unemployment since they are using it to create sources of income for themselves and even others.
Absolutely yes…Take a look at the artists in our nation whose talent pulled them out of the mud and now they are the big names in the industry and feeding their families…the most vital thing is that the youths themselves discover their unique talents, develop on them,find the proper management then BOOM! success
Yes, talent can create self employment for the youths.