04 Jun 2025

Governments have, for the longest time, shouldered the bulk of responsibility for job creation, primarily through education reforms, infrastructure projects, and public sector employment, says Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs Permanent Secretary.

Ms Bridget John argued that tackling youth unemployment, which according to recent data was at around 450 000, demanded a more holistic and collaborative effort involving all sectors of society.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, Ms John stated that the private sector must invest in training and apprenticeship programmes, schools must align curricula with labour market needs, and communities should actively support youth entrepreneurship.

“I urge all sectors of society to urgently invest in unlocking the potential of our youth, this is key not only to curbing rising unemployment but also to driving sustainable economic growth. We must equip young people with the right tools, create platforms for innovation and ensure they have access to funding and mentorship,” she said.

On the Youth Development Fund (YDF), which has often been seen as a flagship initiative for job creation, she acknowledged its shortcomings.

Established in 2009 under the then Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Ms John said the programme was designed to provide financial and technical support to youth-led enterprises across various sectors, which unfortunately, failed to achieve.

“Assessments have shown chronic mismanagement, high loan default rates, inadequate monitoring mechanisms and limited measurable impact on job creation,” she said.

According to Ms John, many YDF-funded projects either collapsed or became inactive within two years of receiving funding.

She cited poor business training, lack of mentorship, and insufficient post-funding support as major reasons behind the fund’s failures.

Ms John acknowledged the need for reform, stating that it was evident from both findings and stakeholder engagements that, although the YDF was well-intentioned, it had not achieved its intended goals.

Nevertheless, Ms John said the ministry was reviewing the fund’s sustainability, efficiency, and alignment with current economic needs.

She hinted at upcoming reforms, including a shift from grants to performance-based funding, greater involvement of the private sector, and investment in incubation hubs to provide long-term support for youth entrepreneurs.

“We are revisiting our national strategies to focus on digital skills, entrepreneurship, and vocational training,” she added.

PAC member, Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi had inquired about strategies to address youth unemployment and the role the YDF had played in job creation efforts. ENDS