
Mayor speaks frankly on Mogale City's troubles, shares optimism
• Read the initial article here: Municipality to deliver State of the City Address
The News will provide a detailed breakdown of the key points discussed during the State of the City Address (SOCA) to help the public better understand the mayor's message and plans.
Sele opened SOCA by stating that they gathered not just to account, but to acknowledge the journey of a city that refused to surrender to the weight of its own challenges, where everyone tells a different story, not of despair, but of defiance against decay; not of failure, but of a people and a municipality that have begun to shift the tide.
'What once seemed inevitable, financial instability, service delivery backlogs, crumbling infrastructure and lost hope, has begun to give way to a new horizon. A horizon shaped by action, accountability and a renewed contract between the city and its people.
We are steering Mogale City toward restoration, regeneration and resilience,' he stated.
He mentioned that this year's SOCA took place in June, recognised as Youth Month, and explained its historical importance and impact.
'This address takes place against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape, locally and globally. It is a time where we are called upon to be agile, responsive, and developmental in the face of fiscal constraints, service delivery pressures, and a growing demand for ethical, people-centred governance. We remain guided by the founding principles of the Freedom Charter, which this year marks its 70th anniversary, and by the enduring belief that the people shall govern,' he explained.
'The SOCA is not merely a report card – it is a clarion call for action, for responsiveness and for developmental governance that leaves no ward, no informal settlement, and no citizen behind.
Let us proceed, together, in service of the people,' he concluded.
In the second part of the series, the News will explain how the mayor addresses Infrastructure Development Service.
Have your say by sending an email to heinrichg@caxton.co.za.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
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The role forced me to grow up fast. My youth was different from that of others – it was something I endured while carrying the burdens of others. Now, at 33, I find myself looking back and forward all at once. I am still called 'young', but how does a 33-year-old, forged by duty, truly relate to an 18-year-old who is trying to find their place in a country where the rules keep changing, the jobs keep disappearing, and the violence keeps knocking at the door? But I have learned that being young is not the same as being new. And what South Africa needs today are not just youthful faces, but new voices rooted in community, disciplined by purpose, and shaped not by entitlement. Youth in South Africa are not just 'challenged' – they are bleeding: economically, mentally, and spiritually. Unemployment among youth (ages 15–34) is a staggering 46.1%. Among those aged 15–24, it is over 60%. That is not a statistic; it is a quiet war. 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If you are not prepared to fight when there is no crowd, to serve when there is no salary, to speak when no one is listening, then you are not ready to lead. What we need now are young leaders who are not chasing perks but principles. Leaders who are not loyal to factions or hashtags, but to people and their pain. I recently met young people who gather at the BAT Centre in Durban. They meet every week – sharing poetry, art, music – and they do so without expectation. Just for the cause. Just for community. I was humbled by them. They remind me that we are not without hope. We are simply without investment in the right places. I want to reflect on three people – among many – who are advocating for youth. Clive Pillay, who has spent decades building young leaders at the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre in Chatsworth. Ravi Pillay, who creates platforms for youth to be heard – not just spoken to – by those in power. 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The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Safety, seniors and services: Sele sets the tone
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Their role in the 100 Days GBVF Challenge earned recognition from the South African Local Government Association, and Sele announced plans for a Safe House for Women and Children, set to launch in 2025/ 26. Regarding social protection, they launched a fully digitised Electronic Indigent Management System in October last year, streamlining applications, improving turnaround times, and enhancing verification protocols. 'To date, 3 429 applications were processed, and 6 107 households are currently supported. To ensure fairness and accuracy, we appointed 32 Indigent Verification Officers, including two persons with disabilities, who conducted physical door-to-door verification between January and June, creating local employment while ensuring resources reach those most in need.' 'We are also intensifying support for our youngest citizens. Two Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC) are being prepared for full operationalisation. The Sinqobile ECDC will resume construction next month following structural assessments, while the Ga-Mogale ECDC has finalised a governing board and is on track to be registered as an NPO, unlocking new streams for compliance, funding, and long-term sustainability.' 'Our ongoing HIV/ Aids outreach remains a cornerstone of municipal health services. The Local HIV/ Aids Council, chaired by me, led outreach campaigns that reached over 126 000 households, supporting nearly 280 000 infected and affected individuals. This programme also created 94 employment opportunities through stipends for peer educators, injecting over R3.6m into community livelihoods while promoting health awareness and resilience,' Sele continued. He said their Sports Development Division has pursued meaningful partnerships to unlock access and expand participation. 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'This inclusive programme is about far more than trophies, it is a celebration of township resilience, a space for positive youth engagement, and a feeder into formalised sports pathways.' • Also read: Pollution in the Cradle raises international eyebrows He said, in the past financial year, they hosted the Provincial Heritage Day Celebrations at Maropeng, which in turn hosted a Skills Development Workshop for local artists and convened the Arts and Culture Forum, ensuring governance and sustainability in the creative sector. 'Our libraries continue to be a critical part of our knowledge infrastructure.' In October last year, Lusaka Library was recognised as Public/ Community Library of the Year at the national LIASA Conference in Durban. From June, Mogale extended library hours at Desmond Tutu, Kagiso, Krugersdorp, and Magaliesburg Libraries, broadening access for learners, job seekers and researchers. 'In addition, our active MOU with Unisa has enabled improved academic resource access across our libraries, reaffirming their role as vital educational centres,' he said. Sele added, it is with immense pride that they celebrated the achievements of the Amajita U20 players, Thato Sibiya and Kgomotso Madiba, who rose from local development leagues in Mogale City to become part of South Africa's Afcon-winning squad. 'Their victory is not just a sporting milestone, it is a clarion call to invest further in grassroots sports, because when township dreams are nurtured, national heroes are born. In preserving the rich and sacred history of Mogale City, Sele proudly honour one of Mogale's most distinguished sons, the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, who hails from the mighty 'Chip Town', in Munsieville. 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IOL News
29-06-2025
- IOL News
62. 4% of under 24s Jobless: Experts call for urgent reform
The tragedy of youth unemployment brings severe economic and societal consequences. Image: RON AI South Africa's younger citizens had little to celebrate this Youth Month. Unemployment among those aged between 15 and 34, who make up almost half of the country's working age population, surged to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025, Statistics South Africa recently reported. This was up from 44.6% in the previous quarter. The facts become even more sobering at the lower end of this age group, with a staggering unemployment rate of 62.4% listed for those aged under 24. The very idea that youths born after the dawn of democracy in 1994 are referred to as 'born frees' must surely feel like a cruel joke to those facing one closed door after another while trying to make something of their lives. Youth unemployment is also incredibly costly to the economy. According to Sanish Packirisami, an economist at Momentum Investments, the most significant cost to the economy associated with unemployment is the strain that it puts on the fiscus, which must support an expanded social welfare programme. 'This diverts much-needed funding for enhancing the potential growth of the economy through infrastructure spending or for delivering on social services to maintain the overall standard of living for millions,' Packirisami told IOL. 'When fewer individuals are contributing to tax revenue, there is further strain on the fiscus,' she added. Social grants, necessitated by widespread unemployment, are a drain on the fiscus. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Media South Africa's social welfare programme is believed to cost the Treasury around R285 billion per year. This funding includes the R370-per-month Social Relief of Distress grant that many unemployed youths apply for. Youth unemployment isn't simply a loss of productivity, it's also a loss of potential, says Dr Thabo Mashongoane, CEO of the Mining Qualifications Authority. 'Every unemployed young person represents a stalled contribution to GDP, a missed innovation, and in many cases, a future cost to the public through welfare or social assistance,' Mashongoane told IOL. Role of the informal sector While youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges in South Africa, it is mitigated, to a degree, by the informal sector, says Maarten Ackerman, Chief Economist at Citadel. However, this situation also brings a set of unique challenges. 'While the informal economy is thriving and provides many youth with opportunities to earn a living, the downside is that these individuals lack access to formal financial services,' Ackerman said. 'For instance, without a payslip, it's much harder to qualify for a loan to buy a home or a car. This exclusion creates a significant gap in the economy.' Youth unemployment brings an economic as well as a human toll. Given that joblessness in South Africa is more prevalent across lower-income earning groups, it can fuel social unrest and crime, which damages the very fabric of society, Packirisami adds. An often unspoken aspect of the youth unemployment crisis is mental health. 'Poor mental health, substance abuse, limited digital access and gender-based barriers also create a divide for the unemployed,' Packirisami explained. 'More government support for those affected by poor mental health and substance abuse is necessary to provide a healthier workforce in SA.' Better support for women facing caregiving burdens was also needed to encourage female labour force participation in the economy, Packirisami added. What are the potential solutions to youth unemployment in South Africa? Addressing the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa will require a multi-pronged approach. At the very least, government needs to address the poor quality of basic education, which leaves gaps in literacy and numeracy, Packirisami said, leaving the workforce ill-equipped when it comes to foundational job-specific skills. 'Government needs to encourage more students to enter Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to provide practical skills, but these TVET colleges often suffer from underfunding, outdated curricula, and social stigma, as they are viewed as second-best options,' Packirisami added. A telling statistic is that 72% of the 'multidimensionally' poor youth in the former homeland areas of South Africa lack adequate education, according to the most recent Youth Multidimensional Poverty Index. People in these areas, deprived of essential infrastructure and services during the apartheid era, continue to suffer from widespread poverty. Addressing the skills mismatch Educational opportunities that are created also need to align with demand patterns in the economy, says Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Youth Employment Portfolio Head at Momentum Group. 'Alignment between institutions of higher learning and the economic drivers is key to getting young people to acquire skills that are in demand, instead of graduating or pursuing courses that will not result in employment.' Critical and scarce skills should also be listed and tracked, in order to steer the youth into careers that will help turn the tide, Mahlangu added. 'Skills that are imported need to be part of a knowledge transfer and upskilling plan that will subsequently give South Africans a chance to fill those roles in the medium to long term.' Degrees don't always translate to jobs. Image: Supplied Mashongoane said the widening skills mismatch was one of the most overlooked problems facing the economy. Industries such as mining, for instance, face a shortage of artisans, technicians and safety professionals, but the training and the 'pipeline' for delivering these skills are under pressure. Furthermore, the renewable energy sector is expected to create more than 250,000 new jobs by 2030, Nepoworx Energy's CEO Nonjabulo Sokhela told IOL. Yet many of these roles remain unfilled due to a mismatch in skills. 'When young people are excluded from these opportunities, we lose critical human capital and risk delaying our just energy transition,' Sokhela said. According to BluLever Education, South Africa currently produces only 13,000 artisans a year, against a national target of 30,000. Its research shows the sector holds 2.1 million potential jobs, and trades like plumbing alone have a 280,000-role gap. Mashongoane strongly believes that South Africa needs to make a fundamental shift from 'education for education's sake' to education that leads to employment. 'Government, SETAs, and employers must jointly fund and scale programmes that combine classroom theory with real workplace exposure. This includes expanding artisan development, apprenticeships, internships, and learnerships that are matched to sector needs.' Role of the private sector The private sector should play a key role in helping the youth transition into the formal economy, and this goes hand in hand with addressing the broader structural challenges that have long hindered sectors such as manufacturing, mining and construction. Companies can help bridge the gap through various skills development, enterprise development and corporate social investment interventions, Mahlangu said. However, government needs to play its part in creating optimal conditions for these opportunities to be realised. 'Unlocking growth in these industries through better policy, infrastructure, and investment conditions would enable businesses to expand and create sustainable employment opportunities,' Ackerman said. 'Ultimately, enabling the private sector to thrive will help absorb more workers into the formal economy and reduce the unemployment burden, particularly among young South Africans,' he added. Unemployment remains one of the single biggest threats to South Africa's future, both socially and economically. In 2025, we have less people employed, in nominal terms, than just before the COVID pandemic, says Frederick Mitchell, chief economist at Aluma Capital. 'If you don't incentivise businesses to grow or employ people, businesses won't do that,' Mitchell said. Clearly, there is a great deal more that government could be doing to alleviate this crisis. IOL Business