Hlomela Bucwa, SA’s youngest parliamentarian, remembers ‘lost generation’ in fiery speech

You might think South Africa’s Parliament is filled with seasoned individuals who have sat through many a State of the Nation Address and Budget Speech, but it also plays host to parliamentarians like Hlomela Bucwa.

At 24 Bucwa is the youngest member of the house, but you probably wouldn’t have guessed on her confident, measured maiden speech given in Parliament yesterday. Representing the DA, she took to the podium to oppose NSFAS — South Africa’s student funding scheme — and suggest a few alternatives of her own.

Hlomela Bucwa is Parliament’s youngest member at just 24-years-old

Although many a parliament member might suggest her six-minute speech was more-campaigning-less-debating, Bucwa eloquently and energetically expressed the voice of three-million strong South Africans under the age of 25 struggling to find work and further their education.

“Let us tread softly because we tread on the dreams of a lost generation,” she concluded, channeling W.B. Yeats in the process.

Have a look at the speech below.