If a commitment to youth-led initiative is to be taken seriously, it is imperative to include youth in decision making on where to direct investment, how to design curricula for skills training, which job markets to prioritise, including those that may not yet exist.

A credible budget in 2026 cannot be based solely on spreadsheets. It must rebalance power and investment toward the local economies that sustain the majority of South Africans.

For many, Sona feels less like a turning point and more like a reminder of how far removed political speeches are from daily life

The employed population increased to 17.1 million, but youth unemployment rose to 43.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025

For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address

The Lanseria smart city remains a dream and hunger, unemployment and crime continue to be high but there has been progress in Eskom’s turnaround

The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining

Minister in the presidency for planning, monitoring and evaluation said there had been progress in implementing the country’s medium-term development plan, running from 2024 to 2029

The declining rate reflects deep-rooted challenges that begin in the early school grades

In addition, some of the continent’s wars show little sign of resolution

Critics wondered whether the convention would follow through with local ward talks and implement recommendations

The AfDB says the country’s economy continues to underperform, weighed down by structural deficiencies that constrain the financial sector

The statistics agency’s youth report notes worsening joblessness, hunger and safety concerns among South Africa’s youth

Youth unemployment is a crisis but educational reforms have the potential to turn the rising tide

Three actions — debt reduction, a youth solidarity tax and limiting increases in public-sector salaries — that could lead to sustainable prosperity

Jobs were lost in the formal sector, as well as in trade, construction and private households

Urgent reform is needed as dangerous socio-economic undercurrents swirl

Protests over accommodation shortfalls have taken place at the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Nelson Mandela University

This marks the second consecutive drop in the jobless rate, and the lowest since the third quarter of 2023

Youths provided with meaningful work experience an increase in confidence, competencies, civic commitment and personal and professional development