- President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the SA National Leadership Convening on Youth Employment on 22 October 2026
- South Africa's youth unemployment rate for the 15–24 age group climbed to 62.8% in Quarter two of 2026
- South Africans pushed back against Ramaphosa's address, questioning whether it would translate into meaningful action
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG — President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africa to fundamentally change its approach to youth unemployment, warning that repeating past strategies will not produce different results.
Speaking at the SA National Leadership Convening on Youth Employment on 22 October, Ramaphosa said the country must be willing to challenge entrenched practices and dismantle unnecessary barriers to work.
"We cannot solve the challenge of youth unemployment simply by doing more of what we have always done," he said.
"We must be prepared to challenge established practices, remove unnecessary barriers and rethink the way we prepare young people for the world of work."
Youth unemployment figures continue to rise
The remarks come as Statistics South Africa data shows the youth unemployment rate for South Africans aged 15 to 24 reached 62.8% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 60.9% in the first quarter.
For the broader 15 to 34 age group, the rate stood at 47.4% in Q2 2026, rising from 45.8% in the previous quarter. Approximately 5 million young South Africans in that broader category were without work during the same period.
South Africans respond with scepticism
Ramaphosa's post on X drew a swift and largely critical response from South Africans, with many questioning the gap between government statements and on-the-ground outcomes.
@ConCaracal wrote:
"Youth unemployment under ANC rule: 1994: 43.9%, 2026: 62.8%."
@mizz_knievil said:
"You always do the talking but not the actual work."
@InfilExfil stated:
"You're at an ideological war with yourself. Listen to the people and scrap your racist laws. Look at your party support. You're nose-diving. We're tired of listening to your ideological nonsense. Remove the barriers!"
@Sifisov1 commented:
"We all know that nothing will be done but when it comes to deploying soldiers to defend foreigners, that happens with immediate effect."
@Ntsikelelo wrote:
"Mr President, you can start by cleaning the country of illegal immigrants that will help create employment for the youth, they simply cannot compete with cheap labour from the rest of Africa."
@Simon_Sithole20 said:
"All he ever does since 8 years is to talk, talk, talk without any tangible results on the ground."
Sihle Lonzi hands CVs to Ramaphosa
Briefly News reported in February 2026 that Sihle Lonzi criticised the government over youth unemployment.
The Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) Member of Parliament also criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa over the lack of jobs.
Social media users shared mixed reactions to Lonzi's decision to hand over CVs to the President after he made his statement.
Source: Briefly News
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