If a commitment to youth-led initiative is to be taken seriously, it is imperative to include youth in decision making on where to direct investment, how to design curricula for skills training, which job markets to prioritise, including those that may not yet exist.
A credible budget in 2026 cannot be based solely on spreadsheets. It must rebalance power and investment toward the local economies that sustain the majority of South Africans.
For many, Sona feels less like a turning point and more like a reminder of how far removed political speeches are from daily life
The employed population increased to 17.1 million, but youth unemployment rose to 43.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025
For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address
The Lanseria smart city remains a dream and hunger, unemployment and crime continue to be high but there has been progress in Eskom’s turnaround
The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining
Minister in the presidency for planning, monitoring and evaluation said there had been progress in implementing the country’s medium-term development plan, running from 2024 to 2029
The declining rate reflects deep-rooted challenges that begin in the early school grades
In addition, some of the continent’s wars show little sign of resolution
Critics wondered whether the convention would follow through with local ward talks and implement recommendations
The AfDB says the country’s economy continues to underperform, weighed down by structural deficiencies that constrain the financial sector
The statistics agency’s youth report notes worsening joblessness, hunger and safety concerns among South Africa’s youth
Youth unemployment is a crisis but educational reforms have the potential to turn the rising tide
Three actions — debt reduction, a youth solidarity tax and limiting increases in public-sector salaries — that could lead to sustainable prosperity
Jobs were lost in the formal sector, as well as in trade, construction and private households
Urgent reform is needed as dangerous socio-economic undercurrents swirl
Protests over accommodation shortfalls have taken place at the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Nelson Mandela University
This marks the second consecutive drop in the jobless rate, and the lowest since the third quarter of 2023
Youths provided with meaningful work experience an increase in confidence, competencies, civic commitment and personal and professional development
Valuable work experience is gained in the skills-driven training programme
Educating young people for tomorrow requires teaching them new skill sets
Continuous skills development is crucial to enable the youth to adapt to changing job markets and technological advancements
A skilled, educated, economically supported youth is the bedrock of a strong democracy
Are we going to the polls with the intention of a paradigm change, or are we voting to retain the current paradigm that no longer works?
The DG Murray Trust has identified 10 opportunities for change that are directed at breaking the intergenerational poverty and inequality deeply rooted in our country
Respondents were asked to pick the top five issues they believe the incoming government should focus on after the 29 May elections
Afrika Tikkun and Microsoft unite South African businesses to revolutionise youth employability and close the skills gap
Learners must be given a breadth of skills, beyond literacy and numeracy, to prepare them for an ever-changing world
Metropolitan is collaborating with Uber during Youth Month to help transport young job seekers to job interviews for free
It provides the skills and work experience they need to navigate the world of employment
The release of Africa Careers Network’s impact report serves as a call to action