By Moahlodi Maphori
Government continues to work relentlessly to address South Africa’s triple challenge of unemployment, inequality, and poverty. These persistent challenges have detrimental effects on the country’s prospects for economic growth and remain a critical barrier to social cohesion and expanded economic opportunity.
The father of our nation, former President Nelson Mandela, reminded us of the kind of society we were striving to build when he said: “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.” It is this ideal that compels government to take decisive action by implementing practical interventions aimed at tackling deeply rooted societal challenges.
The reality is that without jobs, the economy will not grow. What is therefore required from government is the intensification and coordination of efforts across all sectors of society to address the persistent challenge of unemployment. Those with financial muscle must make it their business to invest in job creation, education, innovation, and skills development. In doing so they help to grow the economy and unlock meaningful economic opportunities for others.
With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence is already reshaping what jobs exist, the skills they require, and what it means to be productive. This has necessitated government action to bridge the gap between education, skills development, and economic opportunities by empowering citizens with information to better understand which courses and qualifications are relevant to current economic demand. Career Expos have been held across the country to enlighten students on career pathways that are in line with the emerging new technologies and markets.
The Just Energy Transition is creating new demand for artisans, technicians, and engineers in sectors that did not exist in their current form just five years ago. The green economy is growing, as is the platform economy, which introduces new forms of work that differ from traditional employment models.
All of these new frontiers provide greater opportunities for employment, and this necessitates appropriate qualifications, protections, and opportunities for advancement.
As the economy shifts away from coal, oil, and gas, new technologies and industries are emerging, driving demand for skills that were previously less relevant. The renewable energy infrastructure in the Northern Cape is not merely an abstract policy objective, but a visible source of employment and opportunity within local communities. Beyond formal employment, these new skills also create space for small businesses focused on installation, maintenance, supply, and energy services within a growing value chain.
At the centre of government’s Medium Term Development Plan is a strong focus on tackling unemployment. This priority is aligned with the objectives outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2026 State of the Nation Address, which emphasised inclusive growth, poverty reduction, improved living standards, and the building of a capable, ethical, and developmental state. In the third quarter of the 202/26 financial year, government through the President Youth Employment Intervention continued to see great progress made in unlocking opportunities for young people in the country.
Encouragingly, government has increased direct engagement with stakeholders, calling for a coordinated approach to advancing South Africa’s development and transformation agenda. The recent South Africa Investment Conference 2026 underscored this progress, securing 81 privatesector investment commitments valued at R415 billion.
These investments span all nine provinces and originate from 22 markets across five continents. While they inject much-needed economic activity into local communities, their true value lies in their potential to create jobs. Realising this potential, however, depends on a critical factor: skills. Infrastructure investment alone does not generate employment at scale people do. A skilled workforce is essential to design, build, operate and sustain these projects, ensuring that investment translates into meaningful and lasting job creation.
Government cannot build a capable, ethical, and developmental state in isolation. As Madiba reminds that success depends on strong collaboration between industry, colleges, universities, and sector bodies to ensure that skills programmes remain relevant and lead directly to sustainable work opportunities. If we are serious about tackling unemployment, we must work together across sectors and generations to empower our people with skills, dignity, and real economic opportunity. Together, let us build a nation that works for all.
*Maphori is Acting Economic Cluster Support Coordinator at the Government Communication and Information System
-SAnews.gov.za
