Shackles of unemployment may be broken through partnerships

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa wants private sector companies to do more to provide jobs and training to unskilled, uneducated black youths. Image: Canvas

In a pre-recorded message to delegates of the National Planning Commission's conference on youth employment at the Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, Ramaphosa said all South Africans needed to work together to grow the economy and reduce levels of unemployment, especially among young people.

"Young people from disadvantaged communities struggle to access opportunities and this leaves them marginalised. These young people do not have the financial means or professional networks to access work in the formal economy," Ramaphosa said.

"We need to break the cycle of exclusion and inequality. We need to harness the potential and unearth the talent of young people," he said in his message.

According to Statistics South Africa, unemployment was 25.5% in the second quarter of this year. While adults contributed 16% of the rate, unemployment among young people remains at 36%.

Lack of education, skills

Spier Wine Estate where the National Planning Commission is meeting to discuss youth unemployment in South Africa. Image: LaL Language Centre

Central to the challenge, which is prevalent among black youths, is the lack of education and skills. This leaves them vulnerable to economic exclusion and unbearable poverty levels.

Ramaphosa said the National Development Plan to tackle unemployment, poverty and inequality, prescribed a package of interventions in a bid to make it easier for the public and private sectors to provide employment for young, unskilled and uneducated people.

This includes government's youth employment incentive schemes, which offers tax breaks to employers who give young people jobs.

"To advance inclusive youth employment, we all need to play a part. We need bold action and courageous leadership at all levels. We urge all employers to take on young people as first time employees and start training them," he said.

He added that the NDP has put forward various suggestions to address this problem.

"The plan focuses our efforts to ensure that we grow our economy, that we create jobs and that we provide young people with real and productive opportunities. We also want to promote entrepreneurship among young people because we need to unlock their full potential," he said.