Cape Town — Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, has launched the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) aimed at addressing the country’s unemployment issue.
In a statement, Mashatile announced that unemployment was identified as a top priority and said government must do more to provide young men and women with opportunities to learn and ensure that young individuals are equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications to secure employment upon completing their education.
The government has introduced many interventions to combat youth unemployment.
Unemployment still stands at 32.9%.
The age groups 15-24 and 25-34 years have the highest unemployment rates at 59.7% and 40.7% respectively.
Mashatile said efforts must be doubled to address the issue.
“There is also no better way to confront the unemployment problem than to face it head-on. However, we must solely focus on skilling the youth in sectors with high absorption capacity, connecting them to much-needed jobs, eliminating the inequality gap, and lifting them out of poverty to achieve economic liberation.” Mashatile said.
The establishment of the #SANSI aims to develop, capacitate, and empower young unemployed TVET and University graduates through a purposeful and smooth skills-to-industry pipeline that will lead to innovative entrepreneurship and long-term, sustainable employment pic.twitter.com/CKvlHi261c
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) May 21, 2024
Mashatile said the SANSI will combat youth unemployment and serve as a hub for nurturing leadership, fostering skill development, and promoting community engagement.
“As we launch SANSI today, the institution that will be responsible for implementing the National Youth Service let us reaffirm our dedication to building a nation where service to others is not just a duty but a way of life.” Mashatile said,
He thanked all those involved in the SANSI project and he urged all youth individuals who meet eligibility to apply for the NYS and submit their applications promptly.
“In conclusion, I would also like to urge all South Africans to support the SANDF-led National Youth Service and embrace the opportunities that the National Service Institute will offer. Provincial launches will take place throughout all nine provinces, with the project aiming to reach at least 100 000 youth participants in the current fiscal year. ”
“It is my greatest privilege and honour to officially launch the South African National Service Institute.” he concluded.
Deputy President @PMashatile will today, together with the Department of Defence and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), launch the National Youth Service Initiative aimed at confronting the approximately 3,6 million youth unemployment in South… pic.twitter.com/cPEAh6DI9Y
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) May 21, 2024
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Picture: X/@GovernmentZA
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
