In keeping with the spirit of 1976 Soweto Uprising, Women in Science in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and Impact Centre held a dialogue to commemorate the role the youth played in the events surrounding the historical day. The dialogue looked at developing activities and reflecting on the history, present realities and future of young people in the country. 

It focused on the unemployment crisis in the country particularly the youth who are most acutely affected. The idea was to conceptualise an innovative research approach to confront the challenges and prospects associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which has raised contentious debates about its role in job creation. 

Gloomy statistics 

The 2021 quarterly labour force survey showed that the unemployment rate increased substantially compared to the last quarter of 2020. Furthermore, in an expanded definition that includes job seekers, unemployment is at 43.2%. According to Statistics South Africa, the unemployment rate is the highest amongst people aged 15 to 34. Thus, youth unemployment under the expanded definition is 74.7%. 

South Africa is one of the countries with the highest inequalities, and the year-on-year rise in unemployment points to the need for rigorous engagement on policy, innovation and the industrialisation trajectory as touted in the country’s pathways to economic recovery and job creation. The aforementioned interventions are conceptually targeted at creating employment for youth, stimulate the economic climate and reduce inequalities. 

Strategic plan 

Through knowledge co-creation, innovative solutions can be crafted in order to understand domestic challenges experienced by youth especially in marginalised communities. The strategic plan of the HSRC includes utilising the national, regional and global leadership in the production and use of targeted knowledge to support the eradication of poverty, the reduction of inequalities and the promotion of employment. Through this dialogue, the Partnerships Directorate in the Impact Centre anticipated that the debate will enrich ideas, and build up relations that can identify creative pockets in the public communities. 

The objectives of the dialogue were to engage on the following: 

• To understand the underlying challenges facing the youth in the current economic climate, especially considering the future of work; 

• To establish a mechanism to support skills planning, identify capacity gaps in preparation for the labour market; and 

• To ensure the youth is adequately prepared for a technology driven economy that requires young people to be proficient in science, technology and digital literacy. 

More information: http://www.hsrc.ac.za/en/events/events/4ir-and-youth-unemployment