By Sandiso Buthelezi
When we were young we were told that we are
the light of the future, the successful doctors
and engineers but, how can a lamp turn on when
you turned off the switch? A country full of
graduates…. How can there be doctors but we
still lack hospitals and proper advanced medical
access especially in remote rural areas?
According to Statistics SA; on the 1st Quater of
2026 it seems as if young people are not making
it when it comes to employment and for less
likely to be in employment spaces. The youth
participation seems to be lower than those of
adults as their rates still remains higher of which
is a disadvantage to the youth. It is an
undeniable fact that youth inclusion in South
Africa is needed in the labour market, youth
aged 15-24 years and 25-34 years continue to
have the highest unemployment rates at 60.9%
and 40.6%.
It is a sad fact to find that the obstacles facing
the youth stretches beyond those actively
searching for work including those who are
literally not employed, educated or trained
(NEET). Looking on the context of gender; young
South African women are the ones facing the
high risk of unemployment the young men.
Initially, on the 1st Quater of 2026 approximately
39.2% of young females aged 15-24 years were
(NEET), not employed, educated or trained; and has risen with 1.7% compared to the 1st Quater of 2025.
