Reimagining Livelihoods: The Urgency of Action Against Youth Unemployment in South Africa By Sibongile Gangxa, Managing Executive: Special Projects at Empowaworx

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As we navigate the precipice of a new era, the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa continues to cast a long and troubling shadow over our nation. Regretfully, over 45.5 of our young people are currently unable to find work. This reality not only jeopardises their futures but also impedes the socio-economic development of our communities and country. May it not be lost on us that South Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world which begs the question: What future are we cultivating when our youth is sitting on the sidelines of economic participation? Addressing this challenge requires not just acknowledgment but decisive action, collaboration, and innovative thinking – the tenets that have guided EmpowaYouth throughout our decade-long journey.

EmpowaYouth has tirelessly endeavoured to serve as a connector, bridging the gap between young talent and the industries and public sectors that require it. Through our strategic initiatives, we have fostered connections that catalyse the development and employment of young people across South Africa. The partners who have joined us in this mission deserve commendation for their unwavering commitment. Together, we have uplifted the overall livelihoods of youth and their communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Among our most trusted allies are the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), instrumental in facilitating critical transitions for young people into post-school opportunities. Their consistent support reaffirms the value of public-private partnerships, which are essential for delivering real solutions to youth unemployment.

Our commitment to collaboration has manifested in the success of our industry summits and week-long intersectoral gatherings. These platforms have been invaluable in imparting insights from thought leaders and industry captains, helping to elevate young people’s understanding of the labour market. They inspire youth to envision their career trajectories with clarity and purpose. Albeit we hold fond reflections of the strides we have collectively made; we recognise the growing needs and challenges of the youth demand more effort and a robust approach to youth employment strategies.

As we look toward 2025, EmpowaYouth is poised to continue its mission with renewed vigour. Our national summits roadshow will expand, complemented by regular high-level thought leadership discussions that keep our finger on the pulse of the labour market. These dialogues are paramount, as they help us navigate local and global economic trends, ensuring our interventions are aligned with international standards.

A landmark meeting of minds on the horizon is the Indaba, scheduled for 27th of February 2025. This gathering will bring together some of the most influential leaders in job creation, employment policy, and advocacy. The theme, “Reimagining Livelihoods and Recovering Lost Ground,” encapsulates the urgency of our collective mission to combat youth unemployment.

At the Indaba, we will shine a spotlight on the labour landscape through the lens of youth unemployment. We will interrogate our education and training systems, assessing their impact on skills development, training, and readiness for the workforce. Our strategic pillars for effective engagement will include:

Supercharging Existing Youth Programs: Leaning into our convening strength, we will consolidate and amplify the efforts of organisations and initiatives that are focused on youth development and job creation, to achieve greater impact across sectors.
Reframing Employment: By shifting our focus toward self-employment and entrepreneurship, we will underscore the gig economy as a viable alternative to traditional jobs, thereby broadening the employment landscape.

Leveraging Technology: We will grapple with the advancements of technology and crystalise accessible and legitimate ways to utilise technology. The question on reimagining livelihoods speaks to this focus, whilst sharing tools and insight on ways young people can use technology to reduce barriers for their start-ups and small businesses – a key element to fostering innovation and new job creation.
Addressing Gaps: Bolstering our close and effective partnerships with the education and training authorities, ours is to amplify the conversation on the undervaluation of vocational training in the face of unequal access to opportunities, broadening the world of possibility and facilitating equitable conditions for all young people.

Youth unemployment is an everybody challenge! As we cast our eyes into 2025 and beyond, EmpowaYouth couldn’t be more resolute in its clarion call for robust and intentional collaborations – between development and learning institutions, public and private sectors, civil society, and labour for an aggressive approach to the youth unemployment question. Through the convergence of diverse minds and expertise, we believe new ideas and possibilities can be forged, addressing the complexities of unemployment head-on.

The insights shared at this significant Indaba will be compiled into a high-impact report, we will present these findings to the Presidency and National Treasury, illustrating actionable approaches to shift the unemployment numbers – one intention, collaboration and action at a time. This collaborative effort will be presented to the Presidency and National Treasury, just before the 2025 State of Nation Address and Budget Speech, reinforcing EmpowaYouth’sefforts in shaping the conversation around youth employment advocacy. We extend an invitation to the Presidency and National Treasury to embark on this journey with us, ensuring that our youth’s voices and needs are front and center in shaping our future.

In this moment of crisis, let us not only confront the realities of youth unemployment but thrive in the face of them. Let us collectively set a powerful agenda for action that will create sustainable, meaningful opportunities for our youth while reimagining livelihoods and recovering lost ground.

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