Nonceba Mhlauli: Over 53,000 young people benefitted from Presidential Youth Employment Initiative

Nonceba Mhlauli: Over 53,000 young people benefitted from Presidential Youth Employment Initiative! More than 53,000 young people in South Africa benefited from the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) between October and December 2024, according to Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli. She shared the initiative’s progress during a briefing on the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, highlighting the government’s continued efforts to tackle youth unemployment.

A Response to South Africa’s Youth Unemployment Crisis

The PYEI, launched in 2020, was created to address the staggering youth unemployment rate, which currently stands at 45.5%. The programme seeks to provide opportunities for work experience, entrepreneurship support, and upskilling, aiming to reduce the joblessness that plagues young South Africans.

Deputy Minister Mhlauli emphasized the critical role the initiative plays in alleviating the economic challenges faced by South Africa’s youth. The latest figures indicate that thousands of young people secured what the government calls “temporary earning opportunities” during the last quarter.

Temporary Opportunities and Work-Based Placements

The employment opportunities created by the initiative include a range of placements such as:

• Work-integrated learning programs
• Paid service positions
• Work-based placements

These roles not only provide temporary financial relief but also help participants gain valuable skills and experience to enhance their employability in the long term.

Support for Young Entrepreneurs

In addition to creating job opportunities, the PYEI also focuses on promoting youth entrepreneurship. Between October and December 2024, over 14,600 financial and non-financial support opportunities were provided to young entrepreneurs. These opportunities included business mentorship, access to funding, and capacity-building programs to help young business owners succeed.

Beneficiaries Share Their Experiences

Several beneficiaries of the PYEI have shared how the programme has transformed their lives.

Ayandiswa Same, one of the programme’s beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and described how the initiative helped her regain stability after a long period of unemployment.

“Being unemployed is actually not a good thing. You don’t feel great about yourself, and also your confidence is not really high. I know how it feels, and that’s why I have a passion to make sure unemployed youth do their best because I push them—and I was also pushed,” she said.

Similarly, Emmanual Lala, another participant in the programme, credited the PYEI with significantly improving his life.

“I am a big witness that these programmes and organizations really made a big impact in my life. So due to that, I would like to say that we, the youth, see and appreciate all your efforts,” Lala said.

Ongoing Government Commitment

The government remains committed to expanding the PYEI to reach even more young people across South Africa. Deputy Minister Mhlauli acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in addressing youth unemployment.

The government is also working to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to enhance the initiative’s reach and impact. By fostering collaboration, officials hope to create a more sustainable framework for youth employment and entrepreneurship in the country.

Future Plans for the PYEI

Looking ahead, the PYEI plans to introduce new initiatives that focus on skills development in digital and technical fields, which are increasingly in demand. There will also be an emphasis on rural and underserved communities to ensure that all young South Africans have equal access to opportunities.

Empowering South Africa’s Youth

The success stories shared by Ayandiswa Same and Emmanual Lala underscore the transformative power of the PYEI. By offering temporary employment, entrepreneurial support, and training opportunities, the initiative provides a lifeline to thousands of young South Africans struggling with unemployment.

As the programme continues to grow, it offers renewed hope for the future of South Africa’s youth—a future where skills, confidence, and opportunities pave the way for lasting success.