Catalysing youth employment in South Africa: Reflections on the SA Youth Solutions Exchange 2024

The 8th annual SA Youth Solutions Exchange unfolded this week, energizing South Africa's leaders across government, business, and civil society with a shared purpose: addressing youth unemployment with tangible solutions. Organized by Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator and supported by dedicated collaborators, the event radiated a sense of urgency and innovation focused on forging a brighter future for young South Africans.

In collaboration with South Africa's Project Management Office in The Presidency, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), and the Youth Employment Service (YES), this year’s gathering emphasized a bold commitment to driving 1 million new employment opportunities by 2026. The enthusiasm at the conference was palpable, underpinned by an ambitious vision of large-scale employment for young people in the coming years.

Keynote speakers Jomo Sibiya, Deputy Minister in the Department of Employment and Labour, and Justin Apsey, Unilever Southern Africa’s Managing Director and Executive Vice President, set the stage with insights underscoring the critical need for collective action to combat the youth employment crisis. Their contributions highlighted not only the weight of the challenge but also the immense potential that coordinated efforts hold to bring about meaningful change.

Nicola Galombik, Executive Director at YellowWoods, encapsulated the event’s spirit of purposeful action in her closing remarks, calling on leaders across sectors to take bold steps: “We have the agenda—step up, contribute more, and lead from your position. With coordination, focused investment, and inclusive hiring, we can forge the future we envision.” Her words echoed a theme that reverberated throughout the conference—the power of committed, collaborative leadership in tackling youth unemployment.

The SA Youth Solutions Exchange 2024 proved to be an essential forum where stakeholders across sectors shared insights, exchanged best practices, and forged new partnerships to accelerate youth economic participation. It showcased the immense value of integrating both private and public sector efforts in creating sustainable pathways for youth.

BUSA expressed its pride in co-hosting this vital dialogue alongside YES, Harambee, and The Presidency, emphasizing the significance of scaling unemployment solutions, aligning skills development with labor market needs, and prioritizing the inclusion of marginalized young people. Through energized discussions, participants crafted actionable strategies to open doors for young talent and address critical barriers to meaningful employment.

As South Africa looks toward a future in which youth unemployment is diminished, events like the SA Youth Solutions Exchange 2024 are instrumental in driving progress. They stand as a beacon of hope, mobilizing stakeholders across sectors to contribute towards an ambitious but achievable target of 1 million new earning opportunities by 2026. This collective commitment illuminates the path forward, ensuring that young South Africans can aspire to a future filled with promise and potential, supported by a nation invested in their success.

For more, visit: SA Youth Partner Network