The 2024 Solutions Exchange brought together leaders across government, business, and social sectors to address one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment. Co-convened by The Presidency’s Project Management Office, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Youth Employment Service (YES), and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, the event focused on unlocking 1 million new earning opportunities for young South Africans by 2026.
Now in its 8th year, the conference, held under the theme Solving Together for Scaled Impact—showcased innovative pathways, dynamic discussions, and transformative partnerships to tackle youth unemployment at scale. One highlight was the SA Youth platform, a cornerstone of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), which connects businesses with young talent nationwide via its zero-rated mobile service and geo-mapping technology. Explore our media round-up for insights into these groundbreaking efforts and actionable strategies driving change.
Radio 2000
Jomo Sibiya, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour spoke on Radio 2000, highlighting the Department’s work in youth employment, especially through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), to address job barriers like limited work experience and education gaps.
702/Cape Talk
Our Chief Operations Officer, Ureshni Morrison, joined Stephen Grootes on the Money Show to discuss the impact of Harambee’s ongoing initiatives to foster youth employment by creating 1 million new earning opportunities by 2026.
Power FM
Harambee’s Tumy Motsoatsoe was on Power Business discussing inclusive hiring practices and meaningful work experience programmes as levers to creating 1 million new earning opportunities for South Africa’s youth by 2026.
Kaya FM
Harambee’s Chief Government Relations Officer, Mosoue Sekonyela, spoke with Nastassia Arendse on Kaya Biz to highlight the event’s commitment to creating 1 million new earning opportunities for South Africa’s youth by 2026.
Soweto TV
Our Chief Communications Officer, Zengeziwe Msimang, and Unilever’s Justin Apsey spoke to Soweto TV from the SA Youth Solutions Exchange, discussing the event’s impact on youth employment. Msimang provided an overview of the event, highlighting the significance of sayouth.mobi in connecting young South Africans to job opportunities. Justin Apsey, Managing Director and EVP at Unilever Southern Africa spoke about the private sector’s role in fighting youth unemployment, especially in entry-level jobs.
ENCA
Harambee’s Tumy Motsoatsoe spoke to ENCA’s Marcell Gordon. Key insights discussed included fostering inclusive hiring practices, sustaining work experience programs, and implementing demand-driven skills training to better match youth skills with job market needs.
Here are some insightful articles about Solutions Exchange
Plumbing Africa
Youth employment opportunities drive
ITWeb
Multi-stakeholder pact zeroes in on tech to create 1m jobs
Business Report
Collectively building a future for local youth
SA Good News
1 Million Reasons to Be Optimistic for SAs Future
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