Mashatile: Youth unemployment a 'moral emergency'
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the government is aware that the majority of young South Africans are not living the future they had hoped for.
Mashatile spoke at an event to mark Youth Day in Potchefstroom on Monday.
Mashatile said the youth are confronted by high levels of unemployment, inequality, and a lack of access to opportunities, especially in the digital world.
According to the latest figures from Statistics South Africa, unemployment has reached a staggering 60% among young people aged 15 to 24.
"As government, we acknowledge that, for these young people, their reality remains untenable, undesirable, and unsustainable,” said Mashatile.
The deputy president raised concerns over young people who are neither in school, working, nor undergoing any training.
He labelled the current unemployment crisis as a ‘moral emergency’ rather than an economic issue.
“It affects our whole society and demands urgent action from all sectors — government, business, and communities at large.”
Mashatile believes the structural challenges in the economy need to be fixed to address inequality and skills mismatch between education and what the job market needs.
“Moreover, we need to encourage young people to look into starting their own businesses instead of waiting for employment. In this day and age, entrepreneurship is one of the keys to building a better future,” said Mashatile.
Meanwhile, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union believes young people lack the skills to create their own employment opportunities.
“As we mark 31 years of democracy, we are painfully aware that the lived experiences of many young people still reflect deep inequalities and systemic challenges.
“Unemployment levels among the youth are high. They are victims of crime and gender-based violence,” said SADTU spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi.
ALSO READ:
