The Youth Jobs Crisis: What’s Actually Working in South Africa

Every year, thousands of young South Africans finish school and face the same wall: no job, little experience, and few networks. The stats are bleak — youth unemployment sits above 40% — but there are bright spots.

I’ve seen real traction where programmes combine three things: skills that match actual employer needs, paid work experience, and strong wrap-around support. Harambee’s work-seeker networks, YES’s placement model, and niche sector initiatives like the ICT Academy have shown measurable results.

It’s not about one big silver bullet. It’s about connecting young people to opportunities quickly and keeping them there long enough to gain confidence and skills.

We need to scale what’s proven, not just what’s new. That means better data, more collaboration, and a clear focus on outcomes, not just enrolment numbers.