Youth Capital on Newzroom | Youth unemployment must be a priority of the GNU

Ahead of the release of the unemployment stats, Youth Capital's Nape Senong spoke to Stephen Grootes regarding predictions. 'Although it has been commented that our economy is looking brighter than before, we’re characterised by low economic growth. The Treasury has lowered its 2024 economic growth forecast to 1.1%, from 1.3% projected in February ‘Research shows that when the economy grows, jobs are created and the private sector is more likely to take risks. In our low-growth environment, jobs are not likely to be created, further hampering the absorption of young people in the economy’, says Senong.

While all political parties campaigned around the issue of job creation for young people, we haven’t seen the same urgency in the Government of National Unity. The GNU has kept the commitment to the government’s fiscal consolidation. ‘ In 2024, the largest programme for young people, the teacher assistant programme, has not been run, because of funding complications between National Treasury and the UIF. This has impacted thousands of young people who are willing to work but can’t find opportunities to do so. A well designed, funded and implemented public employment programme landscape is a non negotiable in a country that faces an array of socio-economic challenges like South Africa’ adds Senong. ‘Eight in 10 unemployed young south africans have never worked before, so a focus on work experience is essential’.

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