South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has reached alarming levels, with millions of young people struggling to find work or access education.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has called for urgent, innovative interventions to break this cycle and safeguard the nation’s future.

Speaking as chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) during its meeting at the Gallagher Convention Centre on August 21, Mashatile warned that millions of young South Africans remain ‘locked out’ of both jobs and education, particularly those in the NEET category – young people not in employment, education, or training.

Read more: Council pushes skills and digital training for SA youth

“The future of the youth of South Africa is in our hands, and we must be radical in securing it,” Mashatile said.

According to the latest quarterly labour force survey from Statistics South Africa, over 3.5 million young people, aged 15–24, fall into the NEET category, with more than half searching for work for over a year. The overall unemployment rate has climbed to 33.2%, with young people, women, and marginalised groups hardest hit.

During the meeting, the presidency and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator outlined measures, under the presidential youth employment intervention programme, which aims to cut youth unemployment by 10–20% by 2030.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) also highlighted its initiatives, while stakeholders discussed a digital skills ecosystem to connect young people with opportunities in South Africa’s growing digital economy.

Mashatile emphasised the need to align education and skills development with industry demands, stressing that technological advancements are rapidly changing the workforce.

“We must encourage continuous personal and professional development. Whether through workplace training or accessible learning platforms, we need to prepare our workers for future challenges and opportunities.”

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He also called for collective action across government, business, labour, and civil society, saying that only a unified approach can ensure opportunities for South Africa’s next generation. “A robust and skilled workforce is the foundation of a prosperous nation. By investing in education, innovation, and skills development, we can create lasting impact for our youth and the country as a whole.”

The deputy president concluded by highlighting South Africa’s role in the G20 education working group, noting the potential to foster inclusive and resilient education systems, promote African development agendas, and improve youth employability through international collaboration. “Let us work together to create a brighter future for all South Africans.”

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