This week’s #BeTheDrivingForce conversation was the third in our series but the first one during Youth Month. It was only fitting that the conversation centered around the cost of job-seeking for young people.
President Ramaphosa is looking at a critical period as his administration wrestles with the economic and social ramifications of the pandemic and eroding trust in the ruling ANC.
Editorial Much of the increase in unemployment is due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus lockdowns on the economy. A sign at a business in Sebenza telling people there are no jobs available there, 2 June 2021. Picture: Neil McCartney It’s tragic that in this, Youth Month, South Africa’s young people are being hammered hardest by the struggling economy and spiralling unemployment. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Stats SA says people aged between 15 to 24 and 24 to 34 have unemployment rates of 63.3% and 41.3% respectively. the highest of any group. On top of that, the stats show that 9.3% of university graduates are without work. Much of the increase in unemployment is due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus lockdowns on the economy. Even though there is some optimism among economists