Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged all South Africans to back the newly launched National Youth Service (NYS) initiative, designed to tackle youth unemployment in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling of the South African National Service Institution (SANSI) in Pretoria, alongside the Department of Defence and the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), Mashatile highlighted the importance of this initiative.
He noted that the SANDF-led NYS project would initially be rolled out in the poorest districts, where youth unemployment is highest. Despite previous efforts like the Presidential Employment Stimulus creating over 1.7 million job opportunities, many young people still struggle to enter the workforce. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows an official unemployment rate of 32.9%, with about 3.6 million (35.5%) of young people aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
“I’m pleased that the DWYPD and the Department of Defence have adopted a comprehensive approach to the skills revolution for the unskilled,” said the Deputy President. “This will significantly impact restoring livelihoods, creating wealth, and alleviating poverty and hunger among the marginalised.”
Mashatile emphasized that the NYS aims to optimize government resources by leading impactful projects to assist the nation’s most vulnerable. “We encourage young people to join the National Youth Service, starting with character-building programs and progressing to industry-based education and training, leading to employment or entrepreneurship.”
Building Skills for the Future
SANSI aims to develop and empower young unemployed Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and university graduates through a seamless skills-to-industry pipeline. This initiative will foster innovative entrepreneurship and sustainable employment, turning young people into agents of change. Key focus areas include:
- Food and agricultural value chain commercialisation
- Maritime and ocean economy
- Engineering and construction
- Manufacturing and infrastructure rollouts
- Digital technologies and electronics
Mashatile views this initiative as a significant milestone towards a stronger and more resilient society. It will serve as a hub for nurturing leadership, fostering skills development, and promoting community engagement.
“It will empower our young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of our country and the wellbeing of our communities,” he stated.
Call to Action
The Deputy President announced that provincial launches are forthcoming, with the goal of reaching at least 100,000 youth participants in the current fiscal year. He urged eligible young individuals to apply in large numbers, taking advantage of this opportunity to equip themselves with essential skills.
Minister of Defence Thandi Modise praised SANSI as a vital initiative and thanked DWYPD Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for her support. “SANSI is a tool for the Defence Force to help our children realize their potential,” said Modise.
She assured that the SANDF would instill punctuality, obedience, and leadership skills in the young participants.
Source: SAnews
