Following the release of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention’s (PYEI) third-quarter report on 12 February, our Chief Government Relations Officer, Mosuoe Sekonyela spoke to eNCA’s Thembekile Mrototo about South Africa’s ongoing youth unemployment crisis.

Mosuoe highlighted the urgent need for a unified national strategy to address youth unemployment. While various initiatives such as the National Youth Development Agency, Youth Employment Service and the Extended Public Works Programme are in place, structural barriers like high job-seeking costs, limited data access, and geographic constraints continue to hold young people back.

Economic growth alone is not enough. Research shows that while historic GDP expansion has benefited older workers, youth unemployment remains stagnant. To bridge this gap, targeted interventions in high-growth sectors such as global business services, agriculture, and digital industries are essential. Additionally, empowering young people with entrepreneurial skills and alternative income streams can create new pathways to economic participation.

Key points raised

• Structural barriers hinder youth employment
• Economic growth is not creating jobs for young people
• Alternative earning models are critical
• Young people demand action, not just resilience narratives

Watch the full interview here.