SALUTATIONS…
Honourable Premier of the North-West Province, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi and the leadership of the province with you here today,
Executive Mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Cllr Shiela Mabale- Huma;
MEC of Agriculture in the province of North-West, Hon. Madoda Sambatha District Municipality leadership represented here,
Traditional Leaders (Dikgosi),
Our esteemed Organised Labour, representative of COSATU, Business and Civil Society formations (Abahlali), SANCO led by its Provincial Secretary, Mogomotsi Mosheshe,
Leadership of the Department of Employment and Labour under the stewardship of Mr. Sam Morotoba, who is the Acting Director-General.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is both an honour and a privilege to address you at important meeting. I extend my warmest greetings to all who have travelled from various corners of the province and beyond to be present with us here today. I also express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this day a reality.
We are gathered here today in Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala District, to engage in the Round Table discussions on employment creation and inclusive economic growth. As a national priority, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), in collaboration with key stakeholders, is committed to addressing the critical issue of unemployment, particularly among our youth, women and persons living with the disabilities.
The Department of Employment and Labour derives its legislative mandate from the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, which is given effect through a number of acts that regulate labour matters in South Africa. The most important of these are the Labour Relations Act (1995), the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997), the Employment Equity Act (1998), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993), and the Employment Services Act (2014). The department is mandated to regulate the labour market through policies and programmes developed in consultation with social partners. These aim to:
Youth unemployment is a major national challenge and requires urgent and coordinated responses from all of us to address it. South Africa has a particularly youthful population, with approximately 35.7% of its total population aged between 15 and 34 years, according to Statistics South Africa. On a broader scale, the African continent is the youngest in the world, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25. This demographic presents both an opportunity and a challenge: a growing workforce that could drive economic growth but also a significant risk if employment opportunities remain scarce, leading to increased labour migration patterns amongst the youth.
The high rate of youth unemployment represents the greatest risk to social and economic stability in South Africa.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) has made Inclusive Economic Growth and Job Creation its Priority Number 1. Addressing youth unemployment is central to this agenda, with policies and programmes aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, skills development, and access to economic opportunities.
By tackling this crisis head-on, South Africa can harness the potential of its young population, ensuring a more prosperous and stable future for all.
Coming to the province of North-West, according to Stats SA Q4 Labour Force Survey 2024, the province has a recorded highest expanded unemployment rate in the country, standing at 52.8%, without this expanded definition, the rate of unemployment in the province is sitting at around 41.3%. This stark reality necessitates immediate and collaborative interventions to create employment and economic opportunities. This province has so much potential.
To combat the crisis of unemployment, the Public Employment Services (PES), which is mandated to facilitate job creation through collaboration with government, business, labour, and civil society, has identified Career/Jobs Fairs as an effective platform for addressing the issue of unemployment, as we would witness tomorrow.
These jobs fairs serve as a bridge between job seekers and potential employers, ensuring that unemployed individuals—particularly youth—gain direct access to job opportunities, training programs, and skills development initiatives.
Jobs Fairs play a crucial role in empowering unemployed work seekers by offering a structured and supportive environment where they can explore various career paths, receive guidance on employability, and interact with industry professionals. Through these platforms, participants can benefit from a range of services, including:
Given that youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing socio- economic challenges in South Africa, as I had earlier indicated, initiatives such as Jobs Fairs provide a practical and proactive solution to ensuring that young people are not left behind in the economy.
We want to support businesses in navigating labour regulations while creating a conducive environment for job creation and economic growth. This means engaging in open dialogue with employers, providing guidance on compliance, and ensuring that our regulatory framework is fair, transparent, and supportive of both businesses and workers.
By working together, we can:
Our goal is not to stifle businesses with excessive regulation but to build a thriving labour market where both workers and employers' benefit, creating a stronger and more competitive economy for all South Africans.
What is worth noting that the support for small business needs a concerted effort. There is no single government department that can help stimulate and boost employment level to acceptable rates.
One of the challenges faced by small emerging business is access to finance. The District Development Model can help, not only in raising the much-required capital, but again attracting the necessary investment into our economy.
As I have reflected on the mandate of the Department, you would have taken note that our mandate is to facilitate employment creation.
In doing this, as the Department, we collaborate and partner with other government Departments, business and social partners.
Most importantly, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is central to a mandate to grow our economy, attract investment and business and
to create an enabling environment for business to thrive, and they have developed a number of Master Plans to achieve this.
Today's Employer Round Table Discussion brought together employers from across the Bojanala District to deliberate on strategies to create an enabling business environment, improve working conditions, and reduce unemployment. It is heartening to see this room full of stakeholders from diverse sectors, including Agriculture, Construction, Mining, Education, Health & Wellness, Hospitality, Organised Labour, Civil Society, Local Government, State- Owned Entities, Training Authorities, Private Training Centres, Road & Freight, Property, Youth Services, Security, and Employment Forums, and most importantly, Traditional Authority.
I was particularly pleased to listen to insightful panel discussions featuring our entities: Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Compensation Fund (CF), SEE, Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Productivity SA, and our Directorate for Labour Migration. Their contributions are invaluable in shaping our interventions.
The Department's employment creation initiatives reflect our commitment to tackling the country's triple challenges: unemployment, poverty, and inequality. They are also aligned with our shift in mandate from the Department of Labour to the Department of Employment and Labour, reinforcing our active role in employment creation.
Through our Labour Activation Programme (LAP), we aim to create 2 million jobs while providing support to distressed companies, ex-workers, and young people. The call for the creation of 2 million jobs was pronounced by our state president, His Excellency, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Additionally, we are launching a 20,000-strong inspectorate internship programme, with 10,000 recruits in the 2025/26 financial year, to ensure labour law compliance and protect workers' rights.
We are optimistic that these interventions will make a meaningful impact in North-West Province, which currently faces the highest unemployment rate in the country.
During the recent G20 Employment Working Group meeting held in Gqeberha in February this year, we placed youth unemployment at the forefront of global discussions by elevating it to the Agenda of the G20. This decision was driven by the alarming reality that South Africa has the highest rate of unemployment among the 19 member states, particularly among its youth population.
By elevating youth unemployment to the G20 Agenda, South Africa has taken a bold step in seeking global solutions to a national crisis, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and the long-term empowerment of its young workforce.
Hon. Premier, let us remain steadfast in our shared goal: to build a province where economic opportunities are accessible to all. The best social welfare programme is a job, as employment provides income, independence, and stability for individuals, families, and communities.
The Department cannot address unemployment alone—this requires a coordinated approach involving all levels of government, business, and civil society. Through the District Development Model (DDM), we call for a joined- up government approach that fosters collaboration among national, provincial, and local government entities, along with the private sector.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the European Union for its financial support, which enables the three departments to continue hosting job session dialogues and youth career fairs, bridging the gap between education and employment. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the companies present here today, not only for attending but also for allowing their staff to participate in the Career Fair and provide Career Counselling to job seekers. This level of cooperation between government and the private sector is crucial in addressing youth unemployment and ensuring that young people have access to the necessary resources and guidance to enter the workforce successfully.
Most importantly, as another point of emphasis, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) collaborates with 17 Economic, Infrastructure, and Employment Cluster Departments to drive economic growth and job creation.
We are responsible for coordinating Public Employment Programs such as EPWP, NARYSEC, CWP, and Working for Water/Fire, alongside private sector initiatives like YES, Employer Tax Incentives, and Skills Development Apprenticeships & Learnerships.
In line with the Five-Year Medium-Term Development Plan (2025–2029) and the Annual Performance Plan (2025/2026), we have finalized the Draft National Employment Policy (NEP) to align with the National Youth Development Policy.
Our initiatives include providing free employment services through 126 Labour Centres, 14 mobile units, 8 youth centres, and 450 visiting points, as well as an online system for job searches, counselling, and placement. We are also committed to creating 2 million jobs through Labour Activation Programs, funding the National Pathway Management Network to support 650,000 job opportunities, and recruiting 20,000 young people for our labour law compliance inspectorate internship program.
Furthermore, we continue to promote the employment of people with disabilities through Employment Equity legislation, supporting over 1,200 workers across 13 factories and providing subsidies to 1,100 people employed by NGOs. These comprehensive efforts are aimed at tackling unemployment, fostering inclusive growth, and building a more resilient labour market.
Working together we can do more to transform our labour market and ensure a brighter future for all South Africans. There is no mountain too steep to climb and as President Nelson Mandela had said “it always impossible until it is done".
I thank you.
© 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour
