Demand Accountability for Unemployment in South Africa!

The Issue

South Africa's unemployment crisis has persisted for decades. The latest figures show an unemployment rate of 33.6%, with approximately 8.5 million people unemployed, including around 5 million young people.

The question is not simply whether opportunities exist. If there is no opportunity, why do most countries have low unemployment rates? According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the average global unemployment rate is around 5.1%. So why is South Africa's unemployment rate more than six times the global average?

The global economy is changing rapidly, creating new opportunities in digital services, business process outsourcing, artificial intelligence, software development, digital freelancing, platform work and other high-growth sectors.

China and India each have populations of more than 1.4 billion people, yet their unemployment rates are around 5%, far below South Africa's 33.6%.

These countries have taken advantage of growing sectors in their economies, helping to create employment for millions of people.

So, what has been done to prepare South Africans to capture these opportunities?

And why are so many South Africans still unprepared to participate in those growing sectors?

Who is Responsible for coordinating Unemployment in the Country?

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) was launched in 2020 and is mandated to coordinate South Africa's response to youth unemployment by bringing together government, business, labour and civil society.

Since its launch, much of the PYEI's work has focused on connecting young people to short-term employment opportunities through its partners.

While these programmes may provide valuable support, short-term employment cannot substitute for sustainable employment and long-term career opportunities. This is reflected in the youth unemployment rate remaining persistently high and has worsened over time.

Accountability

The PYEI carries a significant responsibility to South Africa's unemployed, with that responsibility comes accountability.

We have the right to ask:

What progress has been made?

What opportunities have been created?

What high-growth employment opportunities are being targeted?

And why haven't more South Africans been prepared to access them?

What We Demand

We demand the publication of a comprehensive Employment Plan that clearly sets out how South Africans will be prepared and positioned to access opportunities within high-growth global sectors, including the digital economy.

The Plan must:

·       Report on progress to date regarding existing employment programmes and initiatives coordinated through the PYEI, including their implementation, outcomes and impact, and the organizations responsible for delivering them.

·       Present the current challenges and barriers, together with specific solutions and interventions to address them.

·       Define clear pathways into high-growth sectors, with measurable objectives, implementation timelines and clearly defined responsibilities.

·       Produce quarterly public reports on progress and outcomes to ensure transparency, accountability and continuous evaluation.

We don't just need more programmes! We need a plan, real action, and results!

If Action Doesn't Follow

This petition is the beginning of a movement (#SAUnemploymentAccountability) for employment and accountability.

If meaningful action does not follow, we will continue to escalate through public accountability, formal engagement, peaceful mobilization and national action, including calling for appropriate leadership accountability where meaningful progress is not demonstrated.

Join Us

So why is South Africa's unemployment rate more than six times the global average?

We are where we are because WE, as citizens, have not held our leaders ACCOUNTABLE for the responsibilities we have entrusted to them.

If you are unemployed or believe South African's deserve a better pathway into the future, sign this petition.

Demand Accountability!

#SAUnemploymentAccountability

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