From legacy to action: improving the lives of today's youth in Gauteng

As we commemorate Youth Month, we remember and honour the youth of 1976 who courageously fought for freedom, democracy, and quality education, changing the course of our country's history. We remember the sacrifices and lives lost when they confronted an oppressive system that limited their potential. However, their sacrifices and struggles will be in vain if the living conditions of today's youth are not improved.

The brave students who marched in Soweto envisioned a South Africa where young people would have access to quality education, meaningful employment, and the opportunity to contribute to building a prosperous nation. Today, as we reflect on their legacy, we are faced with the harsh reality of a youth in crisis that demands immediate and decisive action.

Statistics South Africa's latest data on unemployment rates in our country is alarming and represents a ticking time bomb. The results for the first quarter of 2025 show that youth unemployment increased from 44.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025, which is significantly higher than the country's official unemployment rate of 32.9%.

This escalating crisis becomes even more concerning when we examine the category of young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET)’, which stands at a rate of 45.1%. This means that nearly half of our youth are not acquiring the skills necessary to participate and contribute positively towards our country's economy. In Gauteng, specifically, over 2.5 million youth fall into this category. For the first quarter of 2025, Gauteng recorded an unemployment rate of 34.4% with an expanded unemployment rate of 40%. These statistics are more than just numbers; they represent millions of young lives trapped in cycles of poverty, despair, and hopelessness. These are youth who wake up each morning without purpose, opportunity and hope for a better future.

The much-publicised Nasi Ispani programme has not yielded the long-term employment solutions that our youth desperately need. The collapse of several Nasi Ispani programmes in 2024 left thousands jobless and further emphasised the programme's failure to deliver a lasting impact. The shocking truth about Panyaza Lesufi’s project is that only 2 322 permanent positions came out of the 55 003 jobs that were said to be created, translating into a measly 4% success rate in creating sustainable employment.

DA Gauteng has consistently stated that quick fixes and temporary employment schemes cannot address the structural challenges that prevent young people from accessing meaningful and long-term job opportunities. The province's continued battle with corruption, crime, infrastructure failures, and basic service delivery issues is scaring off potential investors and exacerbating the joblessness crisis.

Industrial parks throughout Gauteng, which were intended to drive economic growth and job creation, are another indicator of the provincial government’s lack of innovation, poor planning, and execution. Despite the Gauteng Provincial Government spending R134.9 million on upgrades between 2015 and 2018, these parks are characterised by deteriorating infrastructure and minimal economic activity. This represents a colossal waste of public resources and a missed opportunity. Instead of being hubs for skills development, small business growth, and entrepreneurship, these parks have become dens of crime and substance abuse reflecting the social and economic decay that now defines Gauteng.

The education system which was supposed to liberate our youth and serve as a beacon of hope has instead become another barrier to their success. Despite repeated promises to address overcrowding in schools and eradicate dangerous asbestos structures, Gauteng learners continue to be subjected to learning environments that deprive them of opportunities to flourish and develop their potential. Many schools across the province lack the basic resources necessary for quality education and positive outcomes. Gauteng ranks among the top three provinces with the highest teacher vacancy rates, with 4,099 unfilled positions. Furthermore, the curriculum often fails to prepare students with the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the modern economy.

For those fortunate enough to access higher education, this does not necessarily translate into employment opportunities. The consequences of these systemic failures extend far beyond statistics. According to research by Wits Professor Frikkie Booysen, approximately 51% of youth from poorer households in Gauteng express dissatisfaction with their lives, while 39% report feeling alienated from society. This widespread disillusionment represents a generation that has lost faith in the system and their ability to create positive change in their circumstances.

Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds attending under-resourced schools without access to sporting facilities like swimming pools, netball courts, and soccer fields have virtually no chance of developing into acclaimed athletes. Sports and cultural activities serve as positive outlets, which are particularly crucial to keep young people away from negative influences such as gang-related activities and crime, substance abuse, and risky sexual behaviours that expose them to the risk of HIV infection and unwanted pregnancies. The Gauteng Sports Department's decision to surrender R11.7 million that could have been used to construct multipurpose sports courts and improve existing facilities demonstrates a total disregard for the important role that sports and cultural activities play in youth empowerment and development.

DA Gauteng has repeatedly raised concerns about the critical shortage and mismanagement of rehabilitation centres designed to combat substance abuse among our youth. While millions are spent on one-day events and photo opportunities, the DA revealed in March 2025 that the Gauteng Department of Social Development wasted over R34 million on preliminary planning for the Tembisa Rehabilitation Facility without beginning construction, leaving many young people trapped in the cycle of addiction without access to proper care.

Our townships and central business districts suffer from neglect while municipalities teeter on the brink of collapse. Poor governance, lack of accountability from elected public representatives, rampant financial mismanagement, escalating crime rates, and catastrophic unemployment levels create an environment where young people become either victims or perpetrators of violent crime. Recent crime statistics show that Gauteng is one of the highest contributors to murder, rape and sexual assault, and other major crimes in the country.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government will commit to prioritising the youth as the future leaders of our country. The youth represent the key to unlocking economic prosperity in Gauteng, and their potential must not be wasted through continued governmental incompetence and misplaced priorities. The youth of 1976 fought for a better future. Today's youth deserve our unwavering commitment to creating opportunities, improving education, investing in skills development, and building an enabling economic environment so that they can change their living conditions and those of the country.

Solly Msimanga MPL, DA Gauteng Leader of the Official Opposition