Parliament, Wednesday, 12 August 2026 — The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has called for urgent and coordinated action to translate the recommendations of the 2025 P20 Youth Parliament into practical interventions, following a briefing that coincided with the latest increase in South Africa’s youth unemployment rate to 47.4%.
The committee received a briefing today from the National Planning Commission (NPC), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) and the Department of Employment and Labour, on the P20 Youth Parliament recommendations relating to inclusive economic growth, industrialization, employment and meaningful youth engagement; engagement with youth delegates and social partners on the feasibility and implementation of the recommendations; and deliberations by Members on the committee's position regarding the P20 recommendations and drafting of a report
The latest unemployment figures have added urgency to the committee’s oversight of the P20 recommendations. Youth unemployment increased from 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026 to 47.4% in the second quarter, with the number of unemployed young people aged 15 to 34 increasing by 264 000 to 5.6 million. The overall unemployment rate also increased from 32.7% to 33.6% over the same period.
Committee Chairperson, Mr Boyce Maneli, said the latest figures reinforce the need for government to move beyond programmes and commitments towards interventions that produce measurable and sustainable employment outcomes.
The committee heard that the P20 recommendations cover a broad range of interventions, including strengthening oversight of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, improving graduate placement, reviewing youth employment incentives, expanding access to finance and entrepreneurship support, improving digital inclusion, strengthening youth employment data and monitoring interventions targeting rural and township youth.
The NPC stressed that the recommendations of the Youth Parliament cannot end with a report or debate, but must be integrated into government planning, budgeting, implementation and performance monitoring. It further emphasised that youth unemployment cannot be addressed by a single department or programme and requires stronger coordination across education and skills development, industrial policy, small business support, local economic development, digital access and labour market interventions.
The NYDA told the committee that it broadly supports the P20 recommendations and has identified the need to shift the focus from outputs such as the number of young people trained towards sustainable employment, viable enterprises, market access and participation in growth sectors. The agency also highlighted structural barriers facing young people, including lack of work experience, transport challenges, limited access to opportunities in rural and township communities and difficulties navigating increasingly digital recruitment systems.
The NYDA reported that more than 5.64 million young people are registered on the National Pathway Management Network, with 1.91 million earning opportunities facilitated, exceeding the target of 1.5 million. It also reported that 84 000 young people have participated in the revitalised National Youth Service since its inception.
The FFC cautioned, however, that expanding access to skills and finance alone would not be sufficient to reduce youth unemployment sustainably. It called for policies that stimulate labour demand, increase private-sector participation and strengthen coordination across government. The Commission also highlighted the mismatch between educational attainment and labour-market absorption, noting that unemployment among young people with secondary education increased from 37% in 2014 to 46% in 2024.
The Department of Employment and Labour outlined its current interventions, including its commitment under the Medium-Term Development Plan to create two million work opportunities for South Africans between 2024 and 2029, with one million through Public Employment Services and funded agencies and a further one million through the UIF Labour Activation Programme. The Department reported that 212 462 young people were placed into work opportunities through its partnerships during the 2025/26 financial year.
The department also acknowledged challenges in retaining young people after training or work- experience programmes because of budget constraints. It reported that 188 graduates who completed its graduate psychologist programme were unable to be retained after completing the programme in July 2026.
The committee emphasised that the implementation of the P20 recommendations will require clear institutional responsibilities, measurable indicators and effective parliamentary oversight. Members also stressed the importance of ensuring that interventions reach young people in rural areas and townships and respond to the needs of young people with disabilities.
The committee will now deliberate on the evidence received and develop its report and recommendations to the House. The Chairperson said the committee’s work must continue beyond the meeting as it seeks practical solutions to the structural challenges confronting young South Africans.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR, MR BOYCE MANELI.
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