Youth Day | Ramaphosa announces new interventions to combat youth unemployment

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday, the main pivotal role to defeat the unbearable high rates of unemployment is for a caring government to create opportunities for young people.

“The fact that millions of young people were are not in employed is the greatest challenge facing our country today,” stressed Ramaphosa who was giving keynote address at Mthatha Stadium in the Eastern Cape for June 16 commemoration.

As the country rebuilds from the pandemic, the President said that government remains focused on growing the economy and creating jobs.

“Now more than ever, we need young people to rally together to confront and overcome the massive challenges facing our country,” said Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa said the apartheid legacy of poverty, unemployment and inequality has, in recent times, been compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 2021 unrest and the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal, North West and here in the Eastern Cape.

He said that government remains focused on far-reaching economic reforms and creating conditions for the expansion of businesses throughout the country.

At the beginning of next month, the President announced that government will be launching the Future of Work Ambassadors programme.

This programme will focus on improving and modernising the recruitment and retention of youth in the public service.

“We are pursuing innovative new ways of linking learning with earning. For example, the National Skills Fund is pioneering the pay-for-performance skills development model that will create 8 000 job opportunities for young people in digital skills,” he said.

President Ramaphosa further announced the official launch of the revitalised National Youth Service.

Youth service can contribute to civic responsibility, a common identity, development and nation building.

“This is a passionate generation that sees the need in our country and wants to serve those around them.

“There is a great deal of work for them to do in public schools, in tackling social problems such as alcohol and substance abuse and gender based violence, and in building social solidarity in their communities,” the President said.

The President said that government looks to the National Youth Service to inculcate in young people the habits of work, the value of community service and a sense of duty to democracy.

Young people who want to participate in the National Youth Service should join SAYouth.mobi and create their profile.

President Ramaphosa further touched on the Youth Employment Service – known as YES – which is another important initiative that has reached key milestones over the last year.

Through its partnerships with the private sector, YES has created nearly 82 000 quality work opportunities for young South Africans.

He said that this has injected over R4.6 billion into the economy through salaries alone.

“Corporate partners use the Youth Employment Service to build their own workforces by creating work experiences for youth in industries of the future.

“These include industries such as digital, drones, green economy, urban farming, mining, global business services, creative industries and many more,” he said.

The President lauded the young people of South Africa who are imbued with a great entrepreneurial spirit and energy. He said the task is to support them to unleash their potential.