President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed employment squarely at the centre of government's agenda, describing it as the administration's most critical objective as the country seeks to convert improving economic indicators into real opportunities for millions of jobless South Africans.
Delivering the keynote address at the On the Record Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday, Ramaphosa stressed that while the economy is showing positive signs, the true measure of success lies in whether ordinary citizens can find meaningful work.
"Creating jobs is the foremost priority of this government. Our single greatest challenge is to translate positive economic momentum into jobs for the millions of South Africans, who remain unemployed. A job is more than just an income. It is about dignity, about confidence, about a sense of belonging and an ability to contribute to our community and our society."
The President pointed to a notable shift in the country's economic trajectory following years of stagnation, noting that growth is gaining pace, investment is on the rise and employment figures are climbing. He credited this progress to a sustained programme of structural reforms, highlighting improvements at both Eskom and Transnet as evidence that government's reform drive is yielding results. The end of load shedding, improved performance at ports and on the rail network, and expanding export revenues were all cited as tangible outcomes of these efforts.
Structural reforms and expanded support for the unemployed
Ramaphosa highlighted Operation Vulindlela, the joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury, as a key driver in accelerating the implementation of economic reforms. He said the programme had made headway by concentrating on a focused set of high-impact priorities and fostering coordinated delivery across government departments.
While acknowledging that the changes South Africans desire have not yet fully taken shape, the President expressed confidence that the country is headed in the right direction. He cautioned, however, that economic growth alone would not be sufficient to bring millions of unemployed people into the mainstream economy. Alongside reforms aimed at boosting growth, government is broadening its support mechanisms for those without work, including plans to redesign the Social Relief of Distress Grant to provide recipients with a wider range of assistance in seeking employment and sustaining their livelihoods.
The Presidential Employment Stimulus has generated more than 2.5 million opportunities in public and social employment over the past five years, placing school assistants in thousands of educational institutions, supporting the restoration of rivers and wetlands, and helping community organisations employ people in the fight against gender-based violence.
"These examples show that there is no shortage of work to be done – only a shortage of jobs."
Youth employment and small business as engines of growth
Tackling youth unemployment remains a central pillar of the government's employment strategy. Ramaphosa noted that more than five million young South Africans have registered on the SAYouth.mobi platform, which connects them with work and training opportunities. He urged the private sector to make greater use of the platform when hiring young people. The Youth Employment Service, known as YES, established through a partnership with business, has already provided work experience to more than 220 000 young people, and the President called on all companies to participate in the initiative.
The skills development system is also set for an overhaul, with government working to replace the current SETA framework with a more effective model that better aligns training with the demands of the labour market. Small businesses and the informal sector were identified as critical areas for job creation at scale, with Ramaphosa pledging regulatory reform to reduce the administrative burden on emerging enterprises and make it simpler for them to establish and expand.
Looking ahead, the President expressed confidence in South Africa's competitive advantages, pointing to the country's sophisticated financial sector, world-class solar and wind resources, and thriving agricultural industry as foundations for future employment growth across sectors ranging from green steel to new energy vehicles. He did, however, caution that global instability, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, poses risks through rising energy costs, disrupted supply chains and dampened growth prospects, making it essential to press ahead with reforms urgently.
"There is no doubt that South Africa has wind in our sails. It is up to all of us now, as South Africans, as one people with a shared future, to take our country to new heights."
South Africa's unemployment crisis affects nearly a third of the workforce, making any credible government commitment to job creation significant for households, consumer spending, and business confidence nationwide. If structural reforms at Eskom and Transnet sustain momentum, improved logistics and energy reliability could attract private investment and stimulate hiring across manufacturing, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors. However, global economic headwinds and the pace of regulatory reform will ultimately determine whether policy intentions translate into measurable employment gains for ordinary citizens.
