President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent and united action to tackle youth unemployment, saying South Africa must create opportunities worthy of the sacrifices made by the youth of 1976.
Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the Youth Day commemoration held at the FNB Stadium precinct in Nasrec, Johannesburg, marking 50 years since the 16 June Soweto Uprising.
The President paid tribute to the students who protested against the apartheid government’s imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools.
“They faced bullets with bare hands. They confronted injustice with extraordinary bravery. And through their sacrifice, they changed the course of our nation’s history,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the youth of 1976 changed the course of South Africa’s history through their bravery and sacrifice.
Ramaphosa said the uprising was not only about language, but also a rejection of Bantu Education and the broader injustices of apartheid.
“From the streets of Soweto came a powerful cry for justice, dignity and equality,” he said.
The President said democratic South Africa has made significant progress in expanding access to education since 1994.
According to Ramaphosa, no-fee schools, the National School Nutrition Programme and student funding through NSFAS have helped improve access to learning opportunities for millions of young people.
“This year, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme approved funding for more than one million students at universities and colleges,” he said.
Despite these gains, Ramaphosa acknowledged that millions of young South Africans remain unemployed.
He said the youth unemployment rate currently stands at 46%, affecting more than 4.7 million young people.
“We cannot accept this as normal,” Ramaphosa said.
The President also warned against blaming foreign nationals for unemployment, crime and poor service delivery.
“Addressing these challenges requires practical solutions, not the scapegoating of vulnerable people,” he said.
Ramaphosa outlined the government’s plans to address youth unemployment through public employment programmes, skills development and infrastructure investment.
He said more than 5.7 million young people are registered on the SA Youth platform, while over two million have accessed earning opportunities.
The President also called on the private sector to hire young people without requiring previous work experience.
“The young person in front of you does not lack ability. They lack only the chance to prove it. I am asking you to open the door,” he said.
Ramaphosa encouraged young people to actively participate in democracy by registering to vote and holding public representatives accountable.
He said the best way to honour the youth of 1976 is to build a South Africa where every young person has the opportunity to learn, work and live with dignity.
“Let us build a South Africa where every young person can realise their potential,” Ramaphosa said.
