{"id":43884,"date":"2025-02-04T06:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T04:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/sa-youth-struggling-to-find-work-amid-high-unemployment-rates-20250204\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T23:39:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:39:28","slug":"sa-youth-struggling-to-find-work-amid-high-unemployment-rates-20250204","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/sa-youth-struggling-to-find-work-amid-high-unemployment-rates-20250204\/","title":{"rendered":"SA youth struggling to find work amid high unemployment rates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>South Africa\u2019s national unemployment rate stands<br><br>at 32.1%, with youth unemployment at a staggering 45.5% for those aged 15-34.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Many young South Africans face repeated job<br><br>rejections despite having qualifications, with financial and logistical<br><br>barriers adding to the challenge.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>While initiatives like Youth Employment Services<br><br>offer temporary solutions, they fail to address the systemic issue of long-term<br><br>employment opportunities for youth.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s unemployment crisis remains a significant challenge, with the latest figures from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) painting a stark picture. The national unemployment rate stood at 32,1% in the third quarter of last year, while the expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged job seekers, reached 41,9%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Youth unemployment is particularly concerning, with 45,5% of individuals aged 15-34 unable to find stable employment, and the figure climbing to 60,2% for those aged 15-24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact of these statistics is felt in communities across the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Miranda Zawukana, a 24-year-old from Imizamo Yethu, represents many young South Africans struggling to secure work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite earning an NQF Level 4 certificate in Professional Cookery and achieving a bachelor pass in her National Senior Certificate (NSC) in 2019, her job search has been met with constant rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been applying for jobs back to back in the past year, I even lost count. I had four interviews and every time, it ends with \u2018We regret to inform you\u2019 \u201d Zawukana explains. \u201cIt feels like I\u2019m gaining experience, but there\u2019s no progress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her struggle reflects the reality of many young people who, despite qualifications, find themselves unable to enter the workforce. The difficulty in securing permanent employment is compounded by a lack of entry-level positions and financial barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is frustrating,\u201d says Zawukana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The financial burden of job searching also adds to the challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div contenteditable=\"false\" data-embed24=\"Blockquote\" data-pos=\"Middle\" id=\"embed_c37d3d7a\">\n<div class=\"text\">Many of us can\u2019t afford to travel for interviews or even pay for internet access to apply for jobs. It\u2019s disheartening.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the obstacles, Zawukana remains determined to build a future in the hospitality industry. \u201cProfessional cookery wasn\u2019t my first choice, but I love bringing people together through food,\u201d she says. She has applied to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to further her studies but cites financial constraints and lack of guidance as barriers. \u201cI want to create stability, especially for my four-year-old son,\u201d she shares. \u201cIf I had a stable job, I would bring him to live with me and invest in his education.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While initiatives like Youth Employment Services (YES) have provided short-term work opportunities, they have not been enough to create lasting change. Many continue to search for opportunities that remain just out of reach. Until meaningful solutions are implemented, the cycle of unemployment will continue to define the reality for millions. As Zawukana puts it, \u201cI don\u2019t want handouts. I just want a place where I belong and can grow.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa\u2019s unemployment crisis remains a significant challenge, with the latest figures from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) painting a stark picture. 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