President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined several government initiatives aimed at reducing youth unemployment, while reaffirming that building an inclusive economy that creates sustainable jobs remains a national priority.
Speaking at the National Youth Day commemoration in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the President highlighted progress made through employment programmes, skills development initiatives and economic reforms designed to expand opportunities for young South Africans.
More Than 5.7 Million Youth Registered On SA Youth Platform
Ramaphosa said government continues to invest in programmes that help young people gain work experience, access employment opportunities and build their careers.
“First, we are expanding public employment, youth service and workplace experience. More than 5.7 million young people are now registered on the SA Youth.mobi platform. Of these, more than 2 million young people have gained access to earning opportunities.”
The President explained that these interventions are helping thousands of young people enter the labour market and gain valuable experience.
Presidential Employment Stimulus Creates Millions Of Opportunities
According to Ramaphosa, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created work and livelihood opportunities for more than 2.5 million unemployed South Africans since its launch.
“Of these, 82 percent were young people and 66 percent were women. Through the pilot phase of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, over 9 000 young people have been enrolled and more than 7 200 successfully placed into employment.
“This shows the potential of training that is linked to employment opportunities. The revitalised National Youth Service has placed more than 130 000 young people in paid service opportunities to date, with an additional 100 000 community service youth employment opportunities currently available,” President Ramaphosa said.
While these programmes provide an important entry point into the world of work, the President stressed that they are only part of a broader strategy to tackle unemployment.
Government Strengthening TVET Colleges And Skills Training
The President said government is working to ensure that education and training programmes lead directly to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“Second, we are reshaping the skills system so that qualifications lead more directly to work and enterprise. We are moving away from training for training's sake.
“That is why we are strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as engines of occupational skills and linking colleges, employers and SETAs to the needs of local economies.
“Skills are not formed in classrooms alone. They are formed in workplaces, industries, communities and enterprises. Third, we are opening the productive economy to young people,” the President said.
This approach aims to better align training programmes with labour market demands and improve employment outcomes for graduates.
R1 Trillion Infrastructure Investment Expected To Create Opportunities
Ramaphosa revealed that government plans to invest R1 trillion in infrastructure over the next three years.
The investment will support the construction and maintenance of roads, schools, hospitals, clinics, dams, electricity infrastructure, railways and ports.
“This investment will create apprenticeships, artisan development, skills transfer and enterprise development for young people.
“The Public Procurement Act gives us the opportunity to use the buying power of the state to support enterprises owned by young people, women and persons with disabilities.
“Unemployment must be seen as a societal problem. All stakeholders in our country must work together to provide sustainable solutions to reduce unemployment among young people,” the President said.
Growth Sectors Expected To Create Jobs For Young South Africans
The President called on both government and the private sector to work together to address unemployment and support economic growth.
“Our growth strategy is focused on sectors that create jobs at scale: manufacturing, mining beneficiation, digital infrastructure, agriculture, green industrialisation, energy, logistics, critical minerals, tourism and the creative economy.
“Young people must be an integral part of these industries. They must be trained for these industries, work in them, build businesses in them and own a part of them,” he said.
These sectors have been identified as key drivers of job creation and economic development in South Africa.
Support For Small Businesses And First-Time Job Seekers
Ramaphosa also announced that the small business portfolio aims to support one million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises during the current term of government.
In addition, government plans to strengthen support for employers who hire young people through the Employment Tax Incentive.
“Through the Employment Tax Incentive, we already share the cost of bringing a young person into their first job. We will strengthen that support, because the first job is the hardest to get and the most important a person ever has.
“We must change how we prepare young people from the beginning. We therefore call upon employers to hire a young person and not require them to have experience before you hire them,” the President said.
Measuring Success Through Youth Employment And Economic Participation
The President concluded by saying South Africa's progress should be measured by how effectively young people are supported throughout their development journey.
He said success should be reflected in young people moving from school to skills development, from skills training into employment, and from entrepreneurship support to sustainable business growth and ownership opportunities.
