Cyril Ramaphosa Calls for New Youth Employment Strategies As South Africans Question His Promises

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.

The President’s address comes as South Africa faces a staggering youth unemployment rate, which climbed to 62.8% for the 15–24 age group in the second quarter of 2026. Despite various government initiatives, many citizens remain skeptical, with some arguing that the focus should shift toward addressing illegal immigration to protect local job opportunities for the youth.

The event, held at the Galleria Conference and Events Venue in Sandton, brought together stakeholders from government, business, and civil society to discuss the ‘Work SA Youth Implementation Plan.’ While the government continues to promote programs like the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, critics and opposition members, including those from the EFF, have frequently challenged the administration over the lack of tangible job growth and the failure of previous promises to translate into meaningful employment.