Programme Director: Dr Nandipha Kahla -CDPO KZN Mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality, Cllr. S. Gumede COSATU-Provincial Secretary: Mr Edwin Mkhize NACTU-Provincial Secretary: Mr Goodenough Hlongwa FEDUSA-Deputy Chairperson: Mr Albert Nceba

SAFTU-Provincial Secretary: Mr Thabiso Zulu

Acting Municipal Manager: KwaDukuza LM: Mr Rajcoomer

Municipal Manager: Ndwedwe LM: Mr D Khuzwayo

Mr Sam Morotoba: Deputy Director General and all Senior Officials from Department of Employment and Labour

Chief Director- Youth Development: Office of the Premier: Mr Sabelo Ntuli

KZN Regional Manager: Department of Higher Education and Training TVET: Mr Mchunu

KwaDukuza Municipality LED: Mr Hlongwane and all Senior officials from KwaDukuza LM

Campus Manager uMfolozi TVET College: Mr Hooblal

KwaCele Farming: Mr M Khanyile

All Senior Government officials from all Sector Departments All stakeholders and employers present

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen Goodmorning, youth unemployment is one of the greatest risks to South Africa's social and economic stability. That is why the Government of National Unity has placed inclusive economic growth and job creation at the centre of its programme. Today I wish to focus on four priorities: the scale and causes of unemployment; the opportunities and constraints in KwaDukuza; the support and commitments of the Department of Employment and Labour; and the partnership required to create jobs while upholding labour standards.

The scale of the challenge

South Africa is one of the most industrialised countries on the continent, yet it remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. The latest figures cited in this address show that approximately 16.7 million people are employed, while 8.4 million are officially unemployed. The official unemployment rate stands at 33.6%, rising to 43.8% under the expanded definition. Nearly five million unemployed people are young. In KwaZulu-Natal, unemployment stood at 47.8% at the end of the second quarter. These are not merely statistics: they represent households without secure income, young people unable to enter the labour market and communities whose development potential remains unrealised.

KwaDukuza: opportunity and urgency

KwaDukuza has real economic potential, but that potential must translate into sustainable employment.

The Municipality's 2025/26 Integrated Development Plan prioritises inclusive growth, improved services and a more resilient local economy. The iLembe Business Confidence Index reached 55.5 points in the second half of 2025, its highest level since the index began, supported by firmer retail, tourism and construction activity.

At the same time, infrastructure, governance and service-delivery constraints continue to affect investment decisions. Government and business must therefore work together to improve the investment environment, support local enterprises and connect young people to opportunities in growing sectors.

Why unemployment remains high

South Africa's unemployment crisis has deep structural roots. The destruction of peasant agriculture, together with an informal economy that is too small to absorb surplus labour, has left too many people dependent on a limited number of formal jobs. The informal sector contributes only about 6% of GDP. Investment and production choices have also tended to favour capital-intensive methods, restricting opportunities for less-skilled workers. As labour supply exceeds demand, some workers are forced into poorly paid work, while some employers exploit this vulnerability, disregard labour standards or employ undocumented foreign nationals. Our response must combine economic growth, enterprise development, relevant skills and fair enforcement.

Partnership with employers and fair enforcement

The Department wants to work with employers to create jobs and sustain viable businesses. Labour inspections are not intended to punish responsible employers. They protect workers and ensure that compliant businesses are not undercut by competitors who rely on cheap labour or disregard the law.

Labour standards reflect international norms and agreements reached through NEDLAC. Compliance and job creation are therefore not opposing goals: a fair, predictable labour market supports responsible investment, productivity and social stability.

We invite employers to identify practical obstacles to expansion and compliance so that problems within government's mandate can be addressed.

Connecting people to work and skills

Through Public Employment Services, the Department offers free registration, counselling and placement support to employers and work seekers. Access is provided through 126 Labour Centres, 14 mobile units, eight Youth Centres, 450 visiting points and an online system, including services for rural communities. The DEL Presidential Youth Employment Internship programme employs an average of 450 young people each year to help other young people find work. We are also adding another 10 000 Intern Inspectors and to date, we have already recruited more than 5000 of them. Partnerships with the Departments of Higher Education and Training and Basic Education, supported by the European Union, are also improving the transition from learning to work through job dialogues, career fairs and labour-market information for learners. Relevant skills must begin in early childhood, remain aligned with the world of work and continue to develop throughout working life, particularly as automation and digitisation reshape jobs.

Key departmental commitments

Under the Medium-Term Development Plan 2025–2029 and the 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan, the Department and its entities are pursuing a focused package of employment and skills measures:

• Finalise the draft National Employment Policy and align it with broader growth and youth-development strategies.
• Support the National Pathway Management Network and work with the Presidency towards 650 000 job opportunities.
• Target one million jobs through Labour Activation Programmes funded from UIF surpluses, including support for former workers, young people and companies in distress.
• Promote employment for people with disabilities through employment equity measures, 13 supported factories employing more than 1 200 people, and subsidies supporting a further 1 100 people in non-governmental organisations.

A whole-of-government and social-partner response

No department can solve unemployment alone. The District Development Model gives practical effect to joined-up government by bringing national and provincial departments, municipalities, service providers, employers and communities into a common programme of action. The purpose of this dialogue is to move beyond describing the crisis and agree on practical interventions: remove barriers to investment, strengthen municipal services, expand workplace opportunities, register vacancies, improve job matching, invest in relevant skills and maintain lawful employment practices.

Call to action

Youth unemployment is a global challenge, but its consequences are deeply local and personal. For every person who cannot find work, the cost is carried by a household, a community and the economy. A job remains one of the most effective forms of social protection because it provides income, dignity and the freedom to build a sustainable livelihood. Let us therefore use this engagement to agree on measurable actions for KwaDukuza.

Government must improve coordination and services; employers must create opportunities and comply with labour laws; education and training institutions must provide relevant skills; and communities must help connect work seekers to available support.

By acting together, we can turn KwaDukuza's economic potential into inclusive growth, decent work and renewed hope for young people.

I thank You​

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