South Africa's youth crisis: 3.4 million young people not in employment, education, or training
via The Citizen2 min read
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela highlighted South Africa's deepening youth crisis, revealing that 3.4 million young people are neither employed nor engaged in education or training. Speaking at the Inside Education Summit, Manamela described this figure as a "lived reality" reflecting a failing system. He emphasized that the challenge extends beyond unemployment, calling it a "crisis of pathways" where the education system struggles to transition young people from learning to earning. The minister noted that the system is "leaking" at critical points, from early childhood development to labor market entry. Manamela pointed out that despite increased investment in early childhood development, only 42% of children are developmentally on track by age five, indicating that inequality is produced early in life. He advocated for a shift from producing job-seekers to job creators, mentioning that all 50 public TVET colleges now offer entrepreneurship programs, with over 47,000 students participating in 2024. However, he cautioned that entrepreneurship needs a structurally open economy to thrive. Manamela also addressed the shortage of skilled artisans, with only about 20,000 produced annually against a demand for 30,000. The government aims to increase artisan training registrations to 37,000 this year. He stressed that fragmentation across the education and training system is a major obstacle, calling for stronger coordination among government, industry, and ci
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
EFF leader Julius Malema stated his party will not form alliances with the Democratic Alliance DA or the Freedom Front Plus FF+, describing such a move as undermining a progressive agenda. He made these comments while addressing delegates at a conference of the Botswana National Front BNF. Malema also spoke against anti-illegal immigrant sentiment in South Africa, advocating for the unity of all African states and emphasizing the interconnectedness of SADC countries. He expressed pleasure at being in Botswana, noting that his 13-year travel ban to the country, which stemmed from accusations of attempting to ignite regime change, was lifted in 2024.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called for long-term investment in education initiatives from businesses and civil society, emphasizing that Mandela Day efforts should create lasting benefits for schools beyond symbolic gestures. Speaking at Giyani Primary School in Soweto during a Mandela Day event, Gwarube inspected a new classroom block donated by Absa and facilitated by Ride4Hope, with Aspen also contributing. She highlighted the importance of partnerships between government, the private sector, and communities to enhance learning environments for South African children. Gwarube stressed that collaborations should address the real needs of schools and complement public investment, ensuring every child has a safe and appropriate learning environment. The Minister encouraged transparent and sustainable education projects, stating that the true measure of Mandela Day lies in the lasting impact of projects, such as new classrooms and support for teachers, rather than just the 67 minutes of volunteering. She concluded that sustained investment and collaboration are crucial for unlocking children's potential and securing South Africa's future.
The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga has arrested a 44-year-old suspect in connection with an attack that resulted in the death of a Police Sergeant and injury to a Police Constable. The incident occurred in Bushbuckridge on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo stated that officers located and apprehended the suspect at his residence on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The suspect allegedly attacked the officers with a sharp object during a domestic violence call-out, striking the 41-year-old police sergeant and pushing the 37-year-old police constable into a hole before fleeing. The sergeant was pronounced dead upon arrival at a medical facility, while the constable was admitted for treatment. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Saps in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the swift arrest, emphasizing that attacks on police will not be tolerated. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation DPCI – Hawks is handling the case.