JOHANNESBURG — As South Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Soweto Uprising, the African National Congress (ANC) is urging the current generation to translate political liberation into economic freedom. During the party’s official Youth Day reflections, ANC Acting National Spokesperson Nonceba Mhlauli highlighted the strides made since 1976 while directly addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment and the government’s coordinated intervention strategies.
Honoring the class of 1976, the ANC paid tribute to the students who planned and participated in the June 1976 uprising, standing firm against a racist regime that imposed Afrikaans as the language of instruction. Mhlauli, who also serves as a National Executive Committee (NEC) member and recently transitioned out of the youth demographic, shared personal reflections on the legacy of those students. She noted that her own journey—accessing education in her preferred language, attending a no-fee school, and becoming a university graduate—is a direct result of the courage and resolute action displayed by the youth of 1976.
Despite these educational strides, significant economic challenges persist. Referencing the President’s address at the government’s Youth Day celebration at FNB Stadium, Mhlauli highlighted that while 5.5 million students have benefited from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the country still faces a graduate youth unemployment rate of 10.3% and a broader youth unemployment rate of 47%. The primary objective now, she emphasized, is to create clear pathways that transition young people from learning opportunities into sustainable earning opportunities.
To combat these statistics, the government has implemented several targeted interventions. These include the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, which aims to streamline youth empowerment across various sectors. Additionally, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has opened applications for 100,000 young people to participate in the national youth service program. The government is also focusing on supporting youth-owned small businesses and restructuring the landscape to ensure that internships and learnerships lead to permanent employment, rather than leaving young people with a collection of certificates but no sustainable jobs.
Addressing criticism from Ndula, who recently argued that government programs lack streamlining and appear fragmented, Mhlauli strongly defended the state’s efforts. Speaking in her capacity as Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for the youth employment intervention, she explained that the program was specifically established to coordinate efforts centrally across multiple departments, including Higher Education, Small Business Development, Public Works, and Employment and Labour.
Mhlauli announced that the Quarter 4 results for the period ending in March will be released later this week. These results will provide centralized data pulled from across all government departments, demonstrating a systematic approach to tracking progress. She also noted that these efforts extend beyond government, incorporating partnerships with external initiatives like the Youth Employment Service (YES) program to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response to youth unemployment.
