Protests and violence continue to rage through South African universities. In the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), Vanderbijlpark Campus, students clashed with police and set alight university property. The protesting students are calling for the removal of the security company currently contracted by the University. Meanwhile, in Rhodes University, female students took to the streets to protest against rape on their campus. Other protests included the #FeesMustFall, Rhodes Must Fall protests to name a few. These protests have already made airwaves across the country and they bring to remembrance the protests on 16 June 1976 (which will be commemorated next month) when students protested against a government decree that all instruction in black schools would be delivered in Afrikaans. Thus, a few years later, students are still trying to bring about changes into the social and academic issues that they are dissatisfied with.

On a much lighter note, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will soon be relocating to a new building in Salvokop, Pretoria. The new four-storey building achieved a 4 Star Green Star owing to sustainable environmentally friendly features that use water and energy efficiently as well as the environmentally friendly material used for construction.

In this month’s issue of Mbalo Brief, our educational article is based on the social life of youth. The article is based on the Vulnerable Groups Series I: The Social Profile of Youth, 2009 – 2014, (Report No. 03-19-01). The article looks at migration, disability status and employment, among others, of youth aged 15 to 34 years. Also have a look at our monthly crossword puzzle and solutions for the April 2016 puzzle.
Articles published in this issue are based on results of industry surveys conducted for the months ranging from February to April 2016 which were published by Stats SA in April and May 2016.

Download Mbalo Brief – May 2016

For more details on any of the surveys, visit our website at: www.statssa.gov.za

Enjoy the read.