According to Statistics South Africa, the overall unemployment rate rose to 32,9%, up by 0,2%, from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023. But it is the unemployment rate amongst the youth (15 to 24) that is of particular concern: it stands at a staggering 62,1%.
Graduates accounted for only 2,7% of unemployed South Africans, while 7,5% of the unemployed had some kind of other tertiary education. This shows that some kind of post-school education carries weight. But the mismatch between the skills that employers want and the skills that young people have remains a major concern.
Anlie Hattingh, eNCA news anchor, facilitated a Nation in Conversation session at the recent Nampo Harvest Day under the topic 'Beyond the Farm: Careers in Agriculture'. She said it was scary and discouraging to see the high unemployment rate. At the same time, it was important to look at scarce skills as a form
