By Sithabile Nsele
The march for youth employment, held under the banner #EmployYouthNow, saw demonstrators converge at the Union Buildings on Thursday, March 12, demanding urgent action from the government to address the country’s escalating youth unemployment crisis.
The march, which commenced at the corner of Kgosi Mampuru and Madiba Streets, was a powerful display of unity, bringing together a coalition of labor and political organizations. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African Communist Party (SACP), the South African Union of Students, and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) were among the groups that stood in solidarity with the young unemployed.
The members of the COSATU Organization
Photo credit: Sithabile Nsele
Solly Thabatha, the district chairperson of the SACP, addressed the masses, outlining the core political and economic interventions they believe are necessary to resolve the crisis. He emphasized that the current trajectory is unsustainable, placing the responsibility firmly at the feet of the administration.
“The government cannot continue to operate as if this is not a national emergency. We are here to demand a clear, time-bound plan for the implementation of job creation programs. We need the government to invest heavily in industrialization and to support local businesses so they can absorb the thousands of young people who are desperate for an opportunity.”
The climax of the march saw a formal memorandum of demands presented at the doors of the Union Buildings. Doctor Lerato Biyela, tasked with reading the document, detailed the specific requests regarding skills development, public employment schemes, and private sector incentives.
Doctor Lerato Biyela then officially handed the memorandum over to Doctor Luvuyo Bayeni from Human Resources, who was present on behalf of the President. The handover was met with a mixture of hope and skepticism from the crowd, who awaited a formal response.
“We are handing over a document that represents the hopes and futures of millions of young South Africans, we expect this not to be filed away, but to be treated with the urgency it deserves. We want to see concrete steps, not just promises.”
Doctor Lerato Biyela
Photo credit: Sithabile Nsele
Perhaps the most poignant moment came from Thuso Mashilo, an unemployed youth who shared his personal testimony of the struggle to find work. His words painted a stark picture of the desperation felt by many, highlighting the psychological and social toll of being excluded from the economy.
“Being unemployed has stripped me of my dignity, i have the qualifications, I have the will to work, but the doors remain closed. You sit at home day after day, watching your dreams fade because there are no opportunities. We are not asking for handouts; we are asking for jobs so we can build our own futures and contribute to this country.”
Representatives from the student movements also took to the podium, reinforcing the message that the struggle does not end with obtaining a qualification. They expressed their expectations that the memorandum should lead to tangible policy shifts that connect education to employment.
The youth members of the ACDP
Photo credit: Sithabile Nsele
As the protest came to an end, the demonstrators left behind a clear and powerful message for the government. Young people across the country are calling for urgent and practical solutions to the unemployment crisis. For them, access to jobs is not only about earning an income but about restoring dignity, hope, and the chance to actively contribute to South Africa’s future.
