HUMANSDORP – On 25 August, the JobsConnectEC campaign was launched in Kouga, where close to 200 young people gathered at the Kruisfontein Civic Centre to be connected to opportunities.
Dr Vicky Knoetze, Kouga Constituency Leader, said that of the 10.2 million unemployed people in South Africa, 4.6 million are young people between the ages of 15 and 34.
“South Africa’s youth face a crisis. Almost half of school leavers with a matric certificate are unemployed, while one in four university graduates cannot find work,” said Knoetze.
“Behind every statistic is a young life on hold and a family under pressure.”
Knoetze said that at the launch of the JobsConnectEC, job seekers received CV support, interview coaching, life skills training, and connections to employers and training providers.
Kouga Municipality also launched a permanent free Wi-Fi hotspot at the Civic Centre, giving young people the tools to apply for jobs, study online, and access training opportunities.
On his Facebook page, Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said that they launched the free Wi-Fi hotspot as part of their ongoing rollout plan to expand internet access across Kouga.
“This space will help residents apply for jobs, study, and unlock opportunities online,” said Bornman.
“Together, we are building pathways to opportunity, skills and hope for our youth.”
Knoetze said that JobsConnectEC is not just about emergency relief; it is about fixing the system that leaves young people behind.
She said that through the initiative, they want to close the school-to-work gap by aligning education and skills training with market needs, implementing a proper transition curriculum that prepares school-leavers for employment, and boosting private sector incentives for hiring first-time job seekers while deepening partnerships with businesses.
Knoetze further said that they want to support youth entrepreneurship by cutting red tape, driving a whole-of-society effort where government, civil society, and the private sector all work together and create one-stop opportunity shops to streamline access to the jobs market.
“Long-term solutions demand improved local governance, reliable service delivery, eradication of corruption, and pro-jobs policies,” said Knoetze.
“With better connectivity, stability, and an investment-friendly environment, the Eastern Cape can unlock its full potential.”
Knoetze said that a job is more than a payslip; it is dignity and hope.
“JobsConnectEC is proving that communities can be part of the solution and that young people in Kouga are ready to seize opportunities,” said Knoetze.
