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Youth

Government Tackles Youth Unemployment through Collaborative Initiatives

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Government is taking a multi-pronged approach to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment, focusing on labour market functioning, skills training, work experience, and entrepreneurship support. Deputy President Paul Mashatile outlined these efforts in response to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces, highlighting the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the Community Work Programme (CWP) as key initiatives. The government aims to create five million work opportunities through Phase V of the EPWP between 2024 and 2029, with an estimated budget of R178 billion. Meanwhile, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), chaired by Mashatile, collaborates with social partners to develop a collective response to youth unemployment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government is implementing several labour-intensive programmes, including the EPWP, Public Employment Programmes, and the CWP, to provide temporary employment and income support to unemployed youth.
  • Phase V of the EPWP aims to create five million work opportunities between 2024 and 2029, with an estimated five-year budget of R178 billion.
  • The HRDC, chaired by Deputy President Mashatile, collaborates with social partners to develop a collective response to youth unemployment.
  • More than 3.5 million young people aged 15-24 are disconnected from both the labour market and the education system, according to Statistics South Africa figures.
  • Research highlights the heterogeneous nature of the unemployed youth, with over half of those not in employment, education, and training having searched for work for over a year.
  • The National Skills Development Plan and the National Skills Fund equip youth and marginalised groups with market-relevant skills to boost job creation initiatives.
  • The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Department of Defence, has conceptualised the South African National Defence Force-led National Youth Service Programme.

Statistics:

  • 3.5 million young people (aged 15-24) are disconnected from both the labour market and the education system, according to Statistics South Africa figures.
  • Over half of unemployed youth (not in employment, education, and training) have been searching for work for over a year.
  • R178 billion: estimated five-year budget for Phase V of the EPWP.
  • 5 million: number of work opportunities to be created through Phase V of the EPWP between 2024 and 2029.

Sources:

  • A statement by Deputy President Paul Mashatile to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)
  • Statistics South Africa
  • Research from the South African Labour Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town
  • SAnews.gov.za (Copyright 2025)
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)

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