SAYouth.mobi Connects Millions of Young People to Job Opportunities

Ramaphosa said the broader Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) has already created work and livelihood opportunities for more than 2.5 million unemployed South Africans.

More than 5.7 million young South Africans have registered on the SAYouth.mobi platform, with over two million already accessing earning opportunities through the initiative, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during National Youth Day commemorations in Johannesburg.

The free, zero-rated platform connects young people with employers, training programmes, entrepreneurship opportunities and workplace experience, allowing users to access services without spending mobile data. According to the President, the programme has become a key part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and create pathways into the world of work for millions of young South Africans.

Millions Access Work and Training Opportunities

Ramaphosa said the broader Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) has already created work and livelihood opportunities for more than 2.5 million unemployed South Africans. Young people accounted for 82% of those opportunities, while women made up 66% of participants. The President also highlighted the success of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund pilot programme, which enrolled more than 9,000 young people and successfully placed over 7,200 into employment.

The SAYouth.mobi platform was developed through a partnership involving Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the National Youth Development Agency, Youth Employment Service (YES) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

Its goal is to help young people gain practical work experience while opening doors to jobs, skills training and business opportunities.

Focus Shifts Towards Employment-Linked Skills

Ramaphosa said the government is changing its approach to skills development by ensuring training programmes are more closely connected to employment opportunities. Part of this effort includes strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges so they can better prepare students for occupations that are in demand within local economies. Government is also working to strengthen partnerships between colleges, employers and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

The President stressed that valuable skills are developed not only in classrooms but also through practical experience in workplaces, industries, communities and businesses. The revitalised National Youth Service has already placed more than 130,000 young people in paid service opportunities, while another 100,000 community service youth employment opportunities are currently available.

Infrastructure Investment Expected to Create Jobs

Government's planned R1 trillion investment in infrastructure over the next three years is expected to create additional opportunities for apprenticeships, artisan training, enterprise development and skills transfer. Projects include roads, schools, hospitals, clinics, dams, electricity infrastructure, rail networks and ports. The growth strategy also focuses on sectors with strong job-creation potential, including manufacturing, agriculture, mining beneficiation, energy, logistics, tourism, digital infrastructure and the creative economy.

Ramaphosa said young people should not only work in these industries but also build businesses and become owners within them. He added that government aims to support one million micro, small and medium-sized businesses during its current term, while the Public Procurement Act will help direct more opportunities towards enterprises owned by young people, women and persons with disabilities.