News24 reports that Deputy President Paul Mashatile has conceded that many young people in SA are not living the future they had hoped for. Mashatile, who delivered the government’s message for Youth Day in Potchefstroom, said young people were confronted by high levels of unemployment, inequality and a lack of access to opportunities, especially in the digital world.
“As government, we acknowledge that for these young people their reality remains untenable, undesirable and unsustainable,” Mashatile stated. He noted that according to Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, more than half of young people aged between 18 and 34 were unemployed, which was “one of the highest levels we have ever seen, and it is of grave concern.” Mashatile said this was more than just an economic issue – it was a moral emergency. He commented further: “It affects our whole society and demands urgent action from all sectors – government, business and communities at large. We must fix the structural challenges in our economy to address inequality and skills mismatch between education and what the job market needs. In this regard, the government is collaborating with stakeholders like Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator to combat youth economic exclusion by addressing the demand-supply mismatch in the South African labour market.” Mashatile also opined that there was a need to encourage young people to look into starting their own businesses instead of waiting for employment.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyamtanda Capa at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
- Read too, Youth unemployment, a crisis in South Africa, at Sunday Tribune
- And also, 'Urgent need for adaptable skills', says Mashatile on unemployment crisis, at TimesLIVE
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page