As South Africa celebrates National Youth Day and honours the youth of 1976 who fought against Bantu Education, nearly 9.5 million young people are still not in education, employment, or training, 50 years later.
Despite efforts made by the democratic government, many young people still find it difficult to enter the corporate world.
Government has launched various programmes, such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), a bursary scheme that funds students pursuing higher education.
The South African government has also launched the Youth Employment Service (YES). The programme offers unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 34 a 12-month paid work experience opportunity aimed at improving their long-term employability.
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), 10 years ago, in 2016, South Africa had fewer than 8 million young people who were not in education, employment, or training. This is 1.5 million fewer than the 9.5 million recorded in the first quarter of 2026.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 lockdown contributed significantly to the rise in youth unemployment.
A 22-year-old student at eThekwini TVET College, Abongile Mxabaniso, says it is difficult to find in-service training opportunities.
“I can’t find in-service training in order for me to graduate and receive my certificate. The youth of 1976 took to the streets, and maybe we should do the same so that this government can help us. It’s not that we don’t want to work; we do want to work, but there are no opportunities,” she says.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Non-Profit Organisation based in the Outer west of Durban , Slindile Masikane says that young people have power to express their views and make positive impact in their communities.
[YOUTH DAY] Slindile Masikane the founder of Vessel of Honor (NPO) says ,young people have power to express their ideas and make posit impact in their communiti.#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/hJWSJPAtbI
— Sbusiso Maphumulo (@IamsbusisoM) June 16, 2026
The 2026 National Youth Day Commemoration is set to take place at Nasrec, Johannesburg, where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address.
