This was the message delivered by North West DA MPL Freddy Sonakile during a Youth Month debate in Mahikeng. He argued young people could not afford to be remembered as a generation defined by technology and unemployment.

“We surely cannot be remembered only as the generation of AI, Tik Tok and unemployment. The youth of 1976 fought against political oppression, the youth of 2026 must fight against economic exclusion.”

Drawing comparisons between the youth of 1976 and young South Africans today, Sonakile said unemployment statistics painted a devastating picture, particularly in the North West. The province’s expanded unemployment rate has repeatedly exceeded 50%.

“Millions have given up seeking employment all together. In many communities in the North West there are more people without work than there are with work. That is not merely a statistic, that is a generation waiting.

“Waiting to start their life, waiting to support their families and waiting for opportunity. Waiting for government promises to become a reality. Government often tells people to be patient.”

Sonakile questioned how much longer young people should be expected to wait. They stand in queues, submit job applications and listen to election promises, often without seeing meaningful results.

South Africa marked 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising on Tuesday (16/6). During Youth Day commemorations in Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged youth unemployment remains one of the country’s greatest challenges.

Ramaphosa said more than 4.7-million young South Africans are unemployed. He outlined a three-pronged strategy focused on employment creation, skills development and economic inclusion.

The plan includes expanding public employment programmes, youth service initiatives and workplace experience opportunities. Ramaphosa said more than 5.7-million young people have registered on the SA Youth.mobi platform, with over two million accessing earning opportunities through it.

Government also aimed to strengthen technical and vocational education, while investing R1tn in infrastructure over the next three years. The projects include roads, schools, hospitals, railways, electricity networks and water infrastructure.

Young South Africans are not unemployed because they lack ambition or a willingness to work, Sonakile said. A stagnant economy, declining investment, corruption and failing municipalities limit opportunities.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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