Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined initiatives to tackle youth unemployment, while emphasising that government's overriding priority is to grow an inclusive economy that creates sustainable jobs at scale. Speaking during the National Youth Day commemoration in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the President highlighted several key measures aimed at addressing this pressing issue.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa announced that more than 5.7 million young people are now registered on the SA Youth.mobi platform, with over 2 million of them having accessed earning opportunities. He also mentioned that the Presidential Employment Stimulus has provided work and livelihood opportunities for more than 2.5 million unemployed South Africans, 82 percent of whom were young people and 66 percent were women. Additionally, the pilot phase of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund has enrolled over 9,000 young people, successfully placing more than 7,200 into employment.
The President stressed that these initiatives offer young people a foothold in the world of work, though they are not the final solution. He highlighted ongoing efforts to reshape the skills system to ensure qualifications lead directly to work and enterprise. This includes strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and linking them with employers and SETAs to meet local economic needs.
Over the next three years, the state plans to invest R1 trillion in infrastructure, creating apprenticeships and skills development opportunities for young people. The Public Procurement Act will also be leveraged to support enterprises owned by young people, women, and persons with disabilities. President Ramaphosa reiterated that unemployment is a societal problem requiring collective action from all stakeholders.
The President underscored the responsibility of both the government and the private sector to address unemployment. He outlined a growth strategy focused on sectors that create jobs at scale, including manufacturing, mining beneficiation, digital infrastructure, and more. Young people are encouraged to become integral to these industries, either by being trained, working in them, building businesses, or owning a part of them.
Furthermore, the small business portfolio aims to support one million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises during the current term of government. The Employment Tax Incentive will be strengthened to help young people secure their first jobs. President Ramaphosa urged employers to hire young people without requiring prior experience, emphasizing that South Africa's progress should be measured by the transition of young people from education to employment and enterprise ownership.
Source: South African Government News Agency