Ramaphosa Urges Businesses. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged businesses across the country to create more employment opportunities for young people, highlighting the importance of giving inexperienced job seekers a fair chance to enter the labour market. He called on employers to recognise young people’s skills, determination, and potential rather than focusing only on previous work experience.
Ramaphosa made these remarks during the SA Youth National Leadership Convening at the Galleria Conference Centre in Sandton on Thursday, 22 October 2026. He emphasised that youth unemployment remains a major national challenge requiring cooperation between government, businesses, educational institutions, labour organisations, and civil society.
The President encouraged employers to provide workplace training, entry-level positions, and practical learning opportunities that can help young South Africans develop the experience needed to build successful careers.
Youth Unemployment Requires Urgent Action
Ramaphosa described youth unemployment as both an economic and social challenge that threatens the country’s future development. He stressed that young people should not remain excluded from employment simply because they have not yet had an opportunity to gain professional experience.
He called for a change in how employers evaluate young applicants, explaining that a lack of experience does not necessarily mean a lack of ability.
According to the President, addressing unemployment requires a shared commitment from all sectors of society. Government must support investment and economic growth, while private companies should create jobs and provide opportunities for young people to enter the workplace.
Educational institutions must also prepare students with relevant knowledge and practical skills that match the changing needs of employers.
Youth Employment Programmes Should Create Long-Term Opportunities
The President highlighted several initiatives designed to connect young people with employment, training, and career development opportunities. These include the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, the SA Youth Pathways Network, and the Youth Employment Service (YES).
Public employment programmes have also provided opportunities for young people to gain valuable experience while contributing to community development, education, food security, environmental protection, and public safety.
However, Ramaphosa stressed that temporary employment should not be the final destination for young job seekers. Instead, these programmes should serve as pathways towards permanent employment, further education, vocational training, or entrepreneurship.
He called for stronger connections between education, workplace experience, and recruitment so that young people can move more easily from training into sustainable careers.
TVET Colleges and Skills Training Remain Important
Technical and vocational education will play an important role in preparing young South Africans for available employment opportunities.
Ramaphosa highlighted reforms involving Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). These initiatives aim to make skills development more responsive to industry requirements.
He encouraged businesses to work closely with training institutions to identify skills shortages, improve training programmes, and provide practical workplace learning.
The President also emphasised the importance of promoting technical careers, including opportunities for artisans, electricians, mechanics, builders, technicians, and agricultural specialists.
These occupations can provide young people with valuable career prospects while helping industries find the skilled workers they need.
More Support Needed for Young Entrepreneurs
Ramaphosa also called for greater support for young people who want to establish their own businesses. He recognised that youth entrepreneurship can contribute to economic growth, innovation, and job creation, particularly in townships and rural communities.
However, many young entrepreneurs struggle to expand their businesses because they lack funding, access to customers, suitable infrastructure, and business development support.
The President encouraged government departments and established companies to create more opportunities for youth-owned businesses through procurement contracts, supply chains, mentorship, and access to markets.
He explained that young entrepreneurs do not always need financial grants alone. Securing customers, obtaining contracts, and reaching new markets can also help businesses become sustainable and create employment.
Sectors such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital services, renewable energy, and the creative industries were identified as areas with potential to support employment and business development.
Work SA Youth Plan Focuses on Practical Results
The Work SA Youth Implementation Plan is intended to coordinate efforts to improve employment opportunities for young South Africans and expand successful initiatives.
Ramaphosa stressed that effective implementation must take priority over announcements and policy discussions. He encouraged business leaders to identify practical ways to recruit young workers and expand entry-level opportunities within their organisations.
Industry associations should also help smaller businesses participate in workplace training and youth recruitment programmes. Meanwhile, educational institutions must strengthen their partnerships with employers to ensure that training leads to meaningful opportunities.
The President called for clear responsibilities, measurable targets, and regular assessments to determine whether employment initiatives are delivering results.
Programmes that demonstrate success should be expanded, while those that fail to achieve their objectives should be reviewed and improved.
What This Means for Young Job Seekers
Ramaphosa’s message highlights the importance of workplace experience, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and cooperation between employers and educational institutions.
Young South Africans looking for employment can continue developing practical skills, exploring entry-level vacancies, investigating learnerships and internships, and using recognised employment platforms to identify suitable opportunities.
However, the responsibility does not rest on young people alone. Employers must also be willing to consider applicants who have the necessary potential but limited professional experience.
Conclusion
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South African businesses to take a more active role in reducing youth unemployment by offering jobs, training opportunities, and support for young entrepreneurs.
His message emphasises that sustainable progress will require cooperation between government, businesses, training institutions, and communities.
By investing in young talent, improving vocational training, and opening access to employment and business opportunities, South Africa can help more young people build careers, earn a living, and contribute to the country’s economic development.
