Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza
South Africa stares down a ticking time bomb: over 45% youth unemployment threatens to detonate our future. Our young people—our greatest asset—rot on the sidelines while industries like energy and construction beg for skilled hands.
The nation’s growth hinges on a vital, overlooked connection: empowering youth to fuel industrial transformation. This is not a pipe dream; it is a necessity. Breaking the cycle of stagnation demands dismantling structural barriers, embracing technology, and forging a united front across sectors. The stakes are high, but the rewards—a thriving, inclusive economy—are higher.
South Africa boasts frameworks like the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Act, the National Youth Policy (2020–2030), and the Integrated Youth Development Strategy, all designed to skill and employ our youth.
Yet, they falter. Research from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) paints a grim picture: fragmented implementation, lack of accountability, and an education system failing at its core—where many Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning, per the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)— leaving graduates unprepared for technical trades.
In my field, where precision engineering drives energy infrastructure, this gap delays projects and dims our industrial future. Policies exist, but their impact remains invisible.
The fallout is stark. Statistics South Africa’s Q4 2024 data pegs youth unemployment (ages 15–24) at 59.6%, breeding crime, poverty, and unrest. In townships and rural areas, brilliant minds languish, disconnected from quality education and professional pathways.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) warns that such rates threaten social stability—a reality I have seen firsthand in the energy sector’s struggle to find skilled artisans and engineers. This is not just an economic issue; it is a social emergency.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech nodded to infrastructure and growth but sidestepped youth unemployment with actionable plans.
SONA touted investments, yet timelines for youth initiatives were absent. The budget funnelled R380 billion to debt repayment, starving skilling programs of oxygen. This vacuum demands industry-led solutions—where expertise can bridge the gap that policy leaves behind.
HSRC’s Post-school Education and the Labour Market in South Africa and DPRU’s scalability studies reveal a skills mismatch crisis.
Policies churn out graduates unfit for industry, with little visible progress. In my experience mentoring teams, I have seen how aligning training with real-world needs—like those in high-pressure boiler systems and specialised welding techniques—can transform lives and industries alike.
Globally, shortages of welders and engineers collide with AI and automation’s rise, threatening progress. Yet, this chaos gifts South Africa a chance to lead—blending hands-on skills with tech-driven training. Government inertia persists, underscoring the need for a national pact where industry shapes the future.
Hope lies in key sectors. Services (62.66% of employment), industry (18.08%), and agriculture (19.26%) hold potential, per Statistics SA’s 2022 data. But the energy sector—think renewable projects and boiler systems—stands apart.
These fields can absorb youth, alleviate poverty, and power infrastructure, but only if training meets industry specifications. Construction, engineering, and maintenance are ripe for impact; we just need the bridge.
Look abroad and solutions emerge. Brazil slashed youth unemployment to 17.9% by 2023 through robust apprenticeship programs (IBGE, 2023).
India’s Skill India initiative, leveraging public–private partnerships, created millions of jobs in digital and manufacturing sectors (ILO, 2024). South Africa could adapt these—crafting apprenticeships for energy and tech, slashing red tape for youth startups. These are not theories; they are blueprints for transformation.
To harness our nation’s potential, we must bridge the gap between policy rhetoric and effective action. This demands a holistic strategy where government, industry, and civil society unite to:
- Revise and streamline policy frameworks: Reform initiatives like the National Youth Policy (2020–2030) with clear, measurable targets and robust monitoring systems to ensure accountability and inter-departmental coordination.
- Invest in targeted skilling initiatives: Prioritise sectors poised for mass employment—advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital innovation—drawing from successful models like Brazil’s apprenticeships and India’s Skill India. This includes specialised artisan training programs for high-demand skills like welding, where global shortages—such as the 400 000 welder deficit projected in the US by 2024 (American Welding Society)—offer South Africa a chance to not only meet local needs but also supply world-class talent to international markets.
- Leverage public–private partnerships: Expand initiatives like the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, which connects job seekers to employers, creating scalable models for job creation.
- Enhance youth engagement: Ensure youth are not just recipients but architects of policy, incorporating their voices into decision-making processes.
Our future hangs on skilling a fearless, tech-savvy youth army. The clock’s ticking—smash the barriers, ignite industries, and catapult South Africa into a bold new era of global leadership.
Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She holds a Diploma in Business Management (Accounting) from Brunel University, UK, and is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of or Independent Media.
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