Sandton – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on businesses and government to give young people a chance to enter the workforce, warning that jobseekers cannot gain experience if employers refuse to hire them without it.
Speaking at the SA Youth National Leadership Convening on Thursday, Ramaphosa described youth unemployment as an economic, social and human challenge, urging employers to recognise young people’s potential rather than focus solely on their work history.
He said many young people were trapped in a cycle in which they could not find employment because they lacked experience, while being unable to gain that experience without a job.
“One of the most important lessons we have learned is that the first opportunity is often the most difficult to obtain,” Ramaphosa said.
“They cannot get a job because they do not have experience, and they cannot get experience because nobody will give them a job and a chance to gain that experience. We must break this cycle.”
The president said young people had repeatedly raised concerns about experience requirements, which often shut them out of employment opportunities despite their willingness to learn.
WATCH | President Cyril Ramaphosa is appealing to businesses to stop treating a lack of experience as a lack of determination, and to create opportunities that allow young people to gain skills and develop their potential. https://t.co/N926zHsmma
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 22, 2026
Ramaphosa challenges employers to recognise potential
Ramaphosa urged business leaders and the public sector to change how they assess young jobseekers, saying a lack of experience should not automatically be viewed as a lack of ability.
“We must stop treating a lack of experience as a lack of ability. Let us recognise potential,” he said.
He encouraged employers to consider aptitude, determination and a willingness to learn when recruiting young people, rather than relying only on previous work experience.
“Let us create more opportunities for young people to enter workplaces, develop their skills and demonstrate what they can do,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that young people should not spend years searching for work simply because employers were unwilling to give them an initial opportunity.
“A young person should not have to spend years searching for an opportunity simply because no employer is prepared to give them a first chance,” he said.
Youth unemployment remains a major challenge
Ramaphosa’s remarks come as South Africa continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, which has left many young people struggling to enter the labour market despite having qualifications or seeking workplace experience.
The ANC Youth League has also described the situation as a “crisis” and a “disaster”, reflecting growing concern about the economic and social consequences of young people being unable to find work.
Ramaphosa said addressing the challenge required a sustained commitment from both the private sector and government to create entry-level opportunities and help young people develop the skills needed to build their careers.
He urged business leaders to make youth development an ongoing priority, stressing that young people needed opportunities to prove themselves in the workplace rather than remain excluded because they lacked experience.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
