‘Stop treating a lack of experience as a lack of ability’: Ramaphosa’s youth unemployment plea

Youth unemployment is at 47.4%, and President Cyril Ramaphosa says business must help fix it.

He’s called on employers to give young people their first chance at work.

He’s also admitted that government programmes alone aren’t enough.

Here’s what he said, and where young South Africans can find opportunities now.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the SA Youth National Leadership Convening on Thursday, 22 October, which brought together government, business, labour and civil society.

“Let us stop treating a lack of experience as a lack of ability,” he told business leaders.

BREAKING THE ‘NO EXPERIENCE’ CYCLE

Ramaphosa said many young people are stuck in a familiar trap.

“They cannot get a job because they do not have experience. And they cannot get experience because nobody will give them a job,” he said.

He urged employers to look beyond formal qualifications and previous work experience, and to train and mentor young people.

“This is not an appeal for charity. It is an appeal for investment in the future of our economy,” he said.

‘NOT SIMPLY TEMPORARY PROGRAMMES’

Ramaphosa also acknowledged that many government youth programmes offer only short-term work.

“Our objective cannot simply be to place young people in temporary programmes. It must be to create pathways into sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

He said the government is reforming the skills development system, including the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, so they better match the skills employers need.

“Not every young person needs to attend a university to build a successful future,” he said.

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

Ramaphosa called on established businesses to bring young entrepreneurs into their supply chains.

“A young entrepreneur does not always need a grant. Sometimes what that entrepreneur needs most is a customer,” he said.

He said the government and business must also expand access to start-up and working capital, and remove unnecessary red tape.

THE LATEST YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

According to Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), youth unemployment rose from 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026 to 47.4% in the second quarter.

The number of unemployed young people aged 15 to 34 increased by 264,000, to 5.6 million, according to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.

Of about 10.4 million young people aged 15 to 24, 36.4% were not in employment, education or training, according to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

WHERE TO START: SAYOUTH.MOBI

Most government youth employment opportunities are listed on SAYouth.mobi, a free platform run as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI).

More than 5.7 million young people are registered on it.

THE PROGRAMMES YOU CAN APPLY FOR

National Youth Service

The revitalised National Youth Service places young people in paid service opportunities in their communities.

It has placed 132,784 young people so far, according to the Presidency.

The Youth Employment Service (YES)

YES places young people in year-long work experience opportunities at companies across the country.

It has created more than 228,000 youth jobs, and 60% of participants have gone on to full-time employment.

Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund

This pay-for-performance fund links training to real jobs.

Training providers only receive most of their funding once the young people they train find verified, sustained employment.

Basic Education Employment Initiative

This programme places young people as assistants in schools.

Support for young entrepreneurs

The NYDA offers entrepreneurship development, skills programmes and employment facilitation, including training, mentorship and grants.

TIPS FOR YOUNG JOB SEEKERS

• Register on SAYouth.mobi, and keep your profile up to date.
• Apply for work experience, even if it’s temporary, since it builds your CV.
• Consider a TVET college if you’d like a practical or technical career.
• Never pay for a job or a placement. Government youth programmes are free to apply for.