Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) and analysts have cast doubt on the government’s claim that the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) has created over 1.5 million jobs since its inception in 2020.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli recently revealed that the PYEI had created 1.57 million job opportunities, citing a progress report compiled by the government.
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the PYEI in 2020 to combat youth unemployment, currently at 45.5%.
The government aims to solve this crisis, but the ATM and analysts remain unconvinced about the initiative’s effectiveness.
The party demanded transparency and accountability from the ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU), questioning the credibility of the report.
“We recognise the importance of youth employment in addressing the pressing challenges of unemployment and underemployment in our nation. However, we are deeply concerned about the lack of concrete details surrounding these claims,” said ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona.
Ntshona called for clear and comprehensive indicators regarding the actual outcomes of the initiative, including a breakdown of the beneficiaries, sectors of employment, and quantifiable impact.
He said the ATM firmly opposes grandstanding and the assertion of easy victories that lack substantiation.
“It is imperative for the government to provide clear and comprehensive indicators regarding the actual outcomes of this initiative.
“It is essential for the ANC-led administration to provide this information to foster trust and ensure that the initiatives aimed at empowering our youth are genuinely effective. Transparency is crucial for the public to understand the impact of government programs and to hold leaders accountable for their promises,” Ntshona said.
“We call upon the ANC government to respond to our requests promptly, ensuring that the narrative around youth employment is grounded in reality and reflects the true state of affairs. Only through accountability and genuine engagement can we build a brighter future for the youth of South Africa,” Ntshona concluded.
Research associate at the Social Policy Initiative, Duma Gqubule, also challenged the government’s assertions, stating that the jobs created were not permanent.
“These are what you call work opportunities, where in the township we call them piece jobs... They are part-time jobs,” Gqubule said.
Gqubule pointed out that the quality of the jobs varied, with some providing only a stipend and not the minimum wage.
He also noted that the ANC’s manifesto had promised 2.5 million work opportunities, but the government had cut the budget for the initiative in half during the 2024 Budget Speech.
“There is a spectrum of the quality of the jobs. There is the Basic Education Employment Initiative which placed about 200 000 people in schools during the Covid pandemic for about three years after that…Those would work for about eight months in a year, but there are other ones who work two days a week.
“Some of these jobs you literally get a stipend and not really get the minimum wage,” Gqubule said.
Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast described the government’s report as “pure politics” ahead of the 2026 local elections.
“The credible sources I would vouch for are the ones that are outside the government. You can’t judge your own case,” he said.
Breakfast expressed skepticism about the government’s figures, suggesting that they were intended to “cement the argument that all is well with the GNU”.
Approached for comment, Mhlauli referred questions to the report released by the government on Wednesday.
mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za
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