Edition June 2025

As South Africa commemorates 2025 Youth Month, the country finds itself at a critical economic juncture. In the face of evolving global trends and persistently high youth unemployment rates, government is intensifying efforts to equip young people with the skills, resources and opportunities needed for meaningful participation in the economy.

In a statement, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) announced that this year’s Youth Month commemorations will focus on industries that are essential to advancing youth empowerment and driving economic transformation. These include the transport, aerospace, and aviation sectors, which are well-positioned to unlock opportunities in education, skills development and employment. 

The creative economy will also take centre stage, offering young people avenues for innovation, entrepreneurship and self-expression. The agency also highlighted enhanced support for youth-led small, medium, and micro enterprises in the mining sector through both financial and non-financial interventions. 

The agency added that focus will also be placed on initiatives aimed at improving physical and mental health, while reducing risky behaviours among young people. 

The 2025 Youth Month will be commemorated under the theme: “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation”.

“The theme reflects a shared national commitment to building a future-ready generation through education, skills training, entrepreneurship, and meaningful economic inclusion," stated the agency. 

“Through robust partnerships across public and private sectors, as well as programmes

such as the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, thousands of young South Africans are gaining access to training, employment, internships and business opportunities”.

Youth empowerment

Presenting a recent update on the PYEI, Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, revealed that over 4.78 million young people are now registered on the National Pathway Management Network, with more than 1.67 million earning opportunities secured to date through the initiative.

She highlighted the initiative’s success in coordinating partners and creating pathways that boost youth economic participation. 

In the 2024/25 fourth-quarter report (January to March 2025), Mhlauli noted that over R70 million was disbursed to 11 implementing partners, including R30 million in the latest quarter.

 “We are particularly proud of the continued momentum of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, which uses an innovative pay-for-performance model to incentivise the placement of young people into sustained, quality jobs, has made steady progress in its pilot phase”. 

Mhlauli said by the end of March 2025, over 5 400 young people had been enrolled reaching 65% of the programme’s enrolment target.

“More than 3 000 young people had been placed into quality jobs and over R70 million had been disbursed to 11 implementing partners, including R30 million in this quarter alone. These jobs are not just temporary placements. 

“They are quality jobs, defined by duration, income level, and growth potential. We are already seeing shifts in employer practices as a result to better accommodate excluded young people,” Mhlauli said.

Connected ecosystem

The Deputy Minister said government remains committed to building a connected, demand-led ecosystem that not only creates opportunities but also drives systems change in the labour market. 

“As always, the success of this initiative is due to the ongoing collaboration between government, private sector, development partners, and the young people themselves.

“We will continue sharing our progress through these quarterly reports. As always, detailed data and insights are available on the PYEI dashboard at www.stateofthenation.gov.za.

“We also invite our youth to register on SAYouth.Mobi which is a zero-rated site where they will access information about the PYEI as well as all youth empowerment related matters,” she explained.

Launched in 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the PYEI is a direct response to the challenge that too many young people are not transitioning from learning to earning.

The initiative is focused on four pillars – implementation of the Pathway Management Network, implementation of demand-led training through a ‘pay for performance’ model, rollout of the revitalised National Youth Service and Implementation of interventions to stimulate local economies through the establishment of the Local Ecosystem Enablement Fund. 

“As we approach 16 June, a date of profound historical importance, we are reminded of the pivotal role played by the youth of 1976, who stood courageously against the injustices of the apartheid regime.

“Their bravery ignited South Africa's journey towards democracy, and their legacy continues to inspire generations. Youth Month is a time for remembrance, reflection, and a renewed commitment to the empowerment and development of young individuals in South Africa”, noted the NYDA.