by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment, saying South Africa must ensure that the freedoms won by previous generations translate into meaningful opportunities for young people today.
In his weekly message ahead of Youth Day, which marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising, Ramaphosa paid tribute to the young South Africans who challenged apartheid-era education policies and fought for a better future.
“Fifty years ago, the youth of 1976 stood up against injustice and demanded the right to learn, to dream and to determine their own future,” Ramaphosa said.
“Their courage helped open the doors of freedom. The responsibility of our generation is to ensure that those doors lead to opportunity.”
The President acknowledged the frustrations facing many young people who struggle to find work despite pursuing education, training and employment opportunities.
“We know that for many young South Africans, the promise of democracy can feel distant when jobs are scarce, when opportunities seem out of reach and when qualifications do not always lead to employment,” he said.
Ramaphosa argued that inclusive economic growth remains central to addressing youth unemployment.
He said government is investing heavily in infrastructure projects and economic reforms while pursuing a second investment drive that secured R890 billion in new investment pledges over the past year.
Recognising that economic growth alone would not immediately create sufficient jobs, he pointed to several government programmes designed to provide young people with work experience, skills development and income support.
According to Ramaphosa, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created more than 2.5 million work and livelihood opportunities since its launch during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the majority benefiting young people and women.
He highlighted the Basic Education Employment Initiative, which last year placed 200,000 unemployed young people in nearly 22,000 schools across the country.
He said the programme provided participants with their first experience of the workplace while supporting schools in underserved communities.
Ramaphosa also cited the Social Employment Fund, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and the revitalised National Youth Service as examples of programmes helping young people gain access to employment opportunities and practical experience.
“Behind every one of these numbers is a young person whose dignity has been restored, whose confidence has been renewed and whose horizon has broadened,” he said.
While acknowledging that significant challenges remain, Ramaphosa called on businesses, government departments and civil society organisations to help create opportunities for young people, saying South Africa must build an inclusive economy in which every young person can realise their potential.
– CAJ News