Create more job opportunities for marketing graduates
The Issue
My name is Nandipha Booi. Since graduating 17 years ago with a National Diploma in Marketing, I have continually searched for employment opportunities in my field, yet to no avail. As I approach 42 years of age, the weariness of job searching over such a long period profoundly touches not just me, but countless others in similar situations.
In South Africa, the unemployment rate among graduates is alarmingly high, particularly affecting those of us who graduated years ago but have yet to secure a job in our respective fields. With rapid changes in technology and market demands, years without practising in our professions make it increasingly difficult to compete with newer graduates, which leaves many skilled and educated individuals trapped in an endless cycle of underemployment or unemployment.
The need for a comprehensive strategy to connect graduates to viable job opportunities in their relevant fields has never been more critical. By fostering collaborations between educational institutions, businesses, and the government, we can establish initiatives that not only bridge the gap between graduation and employment but also offer internships, retraining programs, and career fairs specifically targeting those who have been unemployed for extended periods.
Statistics reveal that only a small percentage of graduates find employment in their desired field within the first few years post-graduation. Without interventions, this issue could continue to escalate, leaving an entire generation with diminished livelihood prospects.
This petition calls for urgent intervention from the Department of Labour and the Department of Higher Education and Training to develop a strategic plan addressing the unemployment crisis among graduates. Your support in signing this petition will amplify our voices, urging the government and private sectors to prioritise and invest in the future of education and employment so that no more years are wasted for graduates like myself and so many others.
Please sign this petition to help create a future where education guarantees employment and the aspirations of graduates are fostered through meaningful career opportunities.
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The Issue
My name is Nandipha Booi. Since graduating 17 years ago with a National Diploma in Marketing, I have continually searched for employment opportunities in my field, yet to no avail. As I approach 42 years of age, the weariness of job searching over such a long period profoundly touches not just me, but countless others in similar situations.
In South Africa, the unemployment rate among graduates is alarmingly high, particularly affecting those of us who graduated years ago but have yet to secure a job in our respective fields. With rapid changes in technology and market demands, years without practising in our professions make it increasingly difficult to compete with newer graduates, which leaves many skilled and educated individuals trapped in an endless cycle of underemployment or unemployment.
The need for a comprehensive strategy to connect graduates to viable job opportunities in their relevant fields has never been more critical. By fostering collaborations between educational institutions, businesses, and the government, we can establish initiatives that not only bridge the gap between graduation and employment but also offer internships, retraining programs, and career fairs specifically targeting those who have been unemployed for extended periods.
Statistics reveal that only a small percentage of graduates find employment in their desired field within the first few years post-graduation. Without interventions, this issue could continue to escalate, leaving an entire generation with diminished livelihood prospects.
This petition calls for urgent intervention from the Department of Labour and the Department of Higher Education and Training to develop a strategic plan addressing the unemployment crisis among graduates. Your support in signing this petition will amplify our voices, urging the government and private sectors to prioritise and invest in the future of education and employment so that no more years are wasted for graduates like myself and so many others.
Please sign this petition to help create a future where education guarantees employment and the aspirations of graduates are fostered through meaningful career opportunities.
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Petition created on 9 July 2026