As South Africa faces a persistent youth unemployment crisis, EmpowaYouth has emerged as a vital connector, bridging the gap between young talent and opportunities in industries and the public sector. Over the past decade, EmpowaYouth has worked diligently to empower young people, facilitating their entry into the workforce and enhancing their overall livelihoods while catalysing positive change in their communities.
The stark reality of youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, necessitating immediate and collaborative efforts to address this critical issue. In recognition of this, EmpowaYouth commends its partners—an array of organisations and stakeholders who have journeyed alongside us, fostering development and employment opportunities that have transformed the lives of countless youth.
Integral to our mission are the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), our most trusted and consistent partners. SETA’s have played an essential role in facilitating the crucial transitions of young people into post-school opportunities, providing the skills and training needed to respond to the evolving demands of the labour market.
EmpowaYouth’s impact is further enhanced through our successful industry summits and week-long intersectoral gatherings. These platforms have served as incubators for knowledge sharing, where thought leaders and captains of industry impart critical insights. Their contributions have continually inspired young people to understand the labour market better and to navigate their career paths more effectively.
Looking toward 2025, EmpowaYouth is excited to continue its national summits roadshow, along with organising frequent high-level thought leadership discussions. Our commitment is to ensure that our initiatives remain aligned with both local and global employment trends.
To this end, we proudly introduce the EmpowaYouth Indaba, scheduled for 27 February 2025. This landmark event will convene influential leaders in job creation, employment policy frameworks, and advocacy. Under the theme “Reimagining Livelihoods and Recovering Lost Ground,” the Indaba aims to unpack the nuanced realities of youth unemployment and explore innovative solutions.
Key themes for discussion will include:
- Shining a Spotlight on the Labour Landscape: Examining the state of youth unemployment through various lenses.
- Interrogation of Educational Systems: Evaluating both basic and higher education in terms of skills training and employment readiness.
- EmpowaYouth’s Strategic Pillars:
- Supercharging Existing Youth Programmes: Amplifying current efforts to achieve greater impact.
- Reframing Employment: Shifting focus towards self-employment, entrepreneurship, and enhancing the gig economy as a viable alternative to traditional employment.
- Leveraging Technology: Reducing barriers to entry for startups and small businesses.
- Addressing Gaps: Exploring the undervaluation of vocational training and unequal access to opportunities.
The Indaba embodies our belief that the challenge of jobs is a collective responsibility. Through collaboration among development institutions, the public and private sectors, civil society, and labour, we can forge new ideas and actionable solutions to the complexities of unemployment. The goal is to arrive at compelling resolutions and representations that inform future initiatives.
Insights from the Indaba will be consolidated into a resolute and actionable report to be presented to the Presidency and National Treasury. This critical dialogue will occur just before the 2025 State of the Nation Address and Budget Speech, enabling EmpowaYouth to lead the conversation about the future of youth employment advocacy. We sincerely invite the Presidency and National Treasury to join us in this essential dialogue.
Sibongile Gangxa, Managing Executive: Special Projects at Empowaworx, stated: “Creating sustainable employment solutions is not just an organisational objective – it’s a communal imperative. We must lean into collaboration, not only to redefine pathways for our youth but also to cultivate a resilient economy where every young South African has the opportunity to thrive.”
As we move forward, EmpowaYouth remains committed to being a catalyst for positive change, fostering ambitions, opportunities, and livelihoods for youth across South Africa.
