Carving a legacy

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday May 27, 2024 09:44

This line resonates with the essence of the city—an urban landscape where ambitions are nurtured and endless possibilities seem within reach.

The city’s towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and iconic landmarks form a backdrop that promises excitement and adventure.

Frank Sinatra’s classic “New York, New York” further amplifies the city’s mystique. His lines, “Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today. I want to be a part of it, New York, New York,” echo the sentiment of countless hopefuls yearning to experience the city’s unique vibrancy.

Frank Sinatra’s voice evokes the glamour and promise of New York, a place where reinvention and success are always within arm’s reach. The fascination with New York City is also deeply tied to its diverse cultural composition. From the bright lights of Broadway to the artistic havens of SoHo, and the historic neighbourhoods of Harlem, the city offers a myriad of experiences that cater to every dreamer.

It’s a place where these cultures converge, ideas flourish, and every street has a story.

Whether it’s the allure of making it big or simply experiencing the electric atmosphere, New York City continues to be a timeless symbol of aspiration and resilience, as immortalised in the songs of Alicia Keys and Frank Sinatra. But is it really where dreams come true? A recent study by WalletHub reveals that New York City is the worst city for new college graduates seeking entry-level jobs and affordable housing.

The study evaluated over 180 US cities based on professional opportunities and quality of life, using 26 metrics like job availability, starting salaries, and housing affordability.

New York City ranked 182nd overall, scoring the lowest across these metrics with a score of 33.14. The city, often celebrated as a land of opportunity, was found to have the fewest entry-level jobs per 100, 000 professionals and the least affordable housing.

Despite a slightly better ranking of 171 for quality of life, the findings starkly contrast the city’s ingrained image.

This grim reality is echoed by Lohanny Santos, a recent Pace University graduate, who shared her struggle on TikTok. Despite her qualifications, including two degrees and fluency in three languages, Santos has been unable to secure even minimum wage employment. New York City’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent in December 2023, with rents also reaching record highs. In May 2023, the median rent for a Manhattan apartment surged to $4, 241, while Brooklyn and northwest Queens saw significant increases. The report underscores the high cost of living and limited job prospects for newcomers. Conversely, the study named Atlanta, Georgia, as the best city for new graduates, followed by Orlando, Florida, Salt Lake City, and Utah, highlighting the growing appeal of more affordable and opportunity-rich cities outside New York.

While reality has revealed that behind New York’s shimmering facade lays a stark and difficult future, what are the prospects in our own Botswana? Referencing our own Mmegi article written by Larona Makhaiza, our reality is not much better. The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi, disclosed that 40, 036 graduates in Botswana are unemployed, predominantly from the Arts sector. Addressing MP Leepetswe Lesedi’s inquiry, Mokgethi highlighted the nation’s fluctuating unemployment rate, which surged to 34.4% in 2021 before declining to 25.9% in early 2023.

She attributed this persistent issue to factors such as low productivity, sluggish economic growth, limited diversification, a skills mismatch, and a small private sector. Additionally, 1, 310 workers faced retrenchment between 2019 and 2023. Mokgethi emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive social protection systems, underscored by the economic challenges of the COVID-19 era. Botswana and New York City share the economic struggles of a world reeling from post-Covid shocks. Yet, Botswana’s history is a testament to its resilience and creativity in building a vibrant and prosperous nation.

Minister Mokgethi’s stark revelations paint a grim picture, but with elections on the horizon, there is hope. Our leaders have the opportunity to carve a legacy that showcases Botswana as a peaceful, intelligent nation ripe for global investment in a continent brimming with potential. Let us forge our own dreams, leaving New York’s to Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, and steer our nation towards a brighter future.