Quick read 

• Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba addressed the Youth Day rally in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality on Sunday.

• She supported youth inclusion in political leadership but cautioned that positions must be earned through education and skills.

• Ramathuba stressed that leadership alone won’t resolve youth unemployment and urged young people to think beyond office jobs.

• She encouraged exploration of careers in agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship.

• Full story below.

Full story

POLOKWANE – The Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba has acknowledged the importance of youth inclusion in political leadership but cautioned that such roles alone will not resolve the province’s widespread youth unemployment crisis.

Speaking at the Youth Day rally held at Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality on Sunday, she addressed calls from the ANC Youth League for more young leaders to be appointed as MECs and ministers, including support for the league’s first female provincial chairperson, Faith Sebopela, to be considered for such a role.

While welcoming the push for representation, the premier said education and qualification remain essential for meaningful leadership.

“Some of the positions being demanded require qualifications which young people must strive to attain. Leadership is important, but we must not see office jobs as the only viable future,” she said.

The event was held under the theme ‘Skills for a Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation’.

Ramathuba used the platform to urge young people to expand their ambitions beyond the traditional office setting and consider careers in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and entrepreneurship.

“Education is a precondition for sustainable development. Do not only confine your dreams to offices, suits and ties but expand them to farming, mining and other forms of entrepreneurship,” she added.

She reminded the youth that June 16 is more than a public holiday and that it is a day to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices of young people during apartheid and to recognise the work that still needs to be done.

She also outlined several government initiatives aimed at empowering young South Africans with practical skills and opportunities:

1. National youth service: Through the South African National Service Institute, young people are being trained in fields such as agriculture, health, cybersecurity, coding and robotics.

2. Presidential youth employment intervention: Since 2020, this programme has helped over 1.6 million young people secure short-term jobs and gain experience in public institutions. In 2025, over 21 000 youth in Limpopo have benefitted through placements in schools and government offices.

3. Goat and sheep farming programme: Aimed at training 5 000 young graduates across the country, including Limpopo, this initiative provides training, land and resources to support young people in small-scale farming.

4. Cybersecurity and drone training: Recognising the need for digital skills, government is supporting youth training in cybersecurity and drone technology, with opportunities ranging from logistics to disaster management.

5. Young women in mining and energy: With a focus on gender inclusion in critical industries, this programme positions young women as future leaders in the renewable energy and mining sectors.

National Youth Development Agency provincial manager Moscow Maepa also weighed in during the rally, arguing that young people in Limpopo are more than ready to lead and create change across industries.

“The youth are skilled and capable. We need to trust them to innovate and lead economic change.”

The premier concluded by encouraging youths to make use of platforms such as SAYouth.mobi to connect with employment and training opportunities. “Youth voices matter, but so do skills, ideas and the courage to carve your own path,” she concluded.