Many of the youth are gathered around ‘Duma square’ in the Bochabela township as residents await the arrival of the head of state. Amongst the youth present is Boitumelo Popo, who tells OFM News that he wants to hear what solutions Ramaphosa has with respect to the country’s 34,4% unemployment rate.

He says the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 per month is not enough for young people to live off of. The grant is paid to individuals who are currently unemployed, do not receive any form of income, social grant or UIF. “We have young people who are educated and skilled but they are without jobs,” says Popo.

Ramaphosa was meant to have addressed residents at 9:30 am but is yet to arrive with it now almost being midday. Residents like Popo and Ouma Motsoeneng remain hopeful that he will attend to service delivery constraints in the city.

READ MORE: FS records 2nd highest unemployment

In August 2021, Statistics South Africa revealed that the Free State has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country at 36.5% and 45.2% expanded unemployment. Youth and women are reportedly the hardest hit.

OFM News