As South Africa prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising next month, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Annual Youth Day Lecture returned to one of the defining questions facing the country’s younger generation: what happens after graduation when opportunity remains out of reach?
Held at the Attie van Wyk Auditorium in the Faculty of Theology on 15 May, the lecture titled “Bridging the gap between higher education and youth unemployment” brought together students, academics and university support staff for a searching discussion about inequality, employability and the uncertain transition from university to work.
Presented by the Faculty of Theology in partnership with the Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation (CASIT), the event unfolded against the backdrop of South Africa’s worsening unemployment crisis and ongoing debates about the role of higher education in addressing social injustice.
In his welcoming message, the dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof Reggie Nel, reflected on the historical significance of the Youth Day lecture series, which began in 2016 during commemorations marking the 40th anniversary of the Soweto uprising. Nel said the discussion about youth unemployment could not be separated from South Africa’s enduring structural inequality.
He warned that universities would increasingly need to rethink their traditional roles in a rapidly changing African economy marked by a growing youth population and limited employment opportunities. “The mission of entrepreneurship must be as important as the two other missions, teaching and learning, and research,” Nel said. “Yet we must also escape the danger of universities being corporatised.”
‘A very big issue of justice’
The keynote address by Prof Anita Cloete from the Faculty of Theology offered a sobering assessment of youth unemployment in South Africa, describing it not simply as an economic issue, but as a moral and social crisis deeply rooted in the country’s apartheid history.
“Unemployment is, in my view, a very big issue of justice,” she said. “It has to do with the unequal distribution of power, privilege and opportunity.”
Cloete noted that unemployment continues to disproportionately affect young people, women and black South Africans, despite gains in access to higher education since 1994. Drawing on recent labour statistics, she highlighted how unemployment among young people aged between 15 and 34 has risen sharply over the past decade. Particularly alarming, she said, was the number of first-time job seekers unable to enter the labour market.
“The biggest part of unemployment in South Africa – and also the most difficult one – is structural unemployment,” Cloete explained. “There is a total mismatch between what the job market is asking and what is offered by those people looking for employment.”
She cautioned students against assuming that academic qualifications alone would secure employment. “Only having a degree is not going to be enough today. You need a good balance of knowledge and skills,” she said.
Cloete repeatedly returned to the concept of “social capital” – the networks, relationships and support systems that often determine whether graduates can access opportunities. “You need people who can introduce you to people in the industry where you want to work,” she stressed.
Preparing students for a changing world of work
The second keynote session focused on practical strategies for workplace readiness and career preparation. Marquard Timmey, Head of the Unit for Graduand Career Services at SU, urged students to engage with career planning from their first year of study rather than waiting until graduation approached. “There’s enough evidence and research to show that the earlier you start, the better your chances are to secure employment,” he said.
He encouraged students to rethink narrow assumptions about career pathways and to recognise the transferability of their skills. “We are living in a skills-based world of work. Do not underestimate your skills,” Timmey said.
Neuwe Kibe, Transitional Counsellor: Career Advice, echoed this message, arguing that employability now depends on far more than qualifications alone. “The question is no longer about what qualifications do you have, but rather: are you adaptable, and are you ready to grow and willing to learn continuously?” she said.
Kibe encouraged students to develop leadership abilities, communication skills and professional confidence through campus involvement, volunteering and networking opportunities. “Your peers and classmates are your future colleagues, collaborators and acquaintances,” she noted.
The session also featured an online presentation by Gradlinc Business Manager Pria Panu, who introduced students to the graduate recruitment platform aimed at connecting young people with internships, bursaries and employment opportunities.
Students speak about pressure, sacrifice and uncertainty
Following the keynote sessions, a student and alumni panel discussion offered a more personal reflection on the realities facing young South Africans navigating university life and uncertain career prospects.
Students spoke candidly about the pressure to build competitive CVs while balancing academics, leadership responsibilities, financial hardship and part-time work. Several reflected on the sacrifices required to remain academically successful while also trying to become employable in an increasingly competitive labour market.
The discussion also highlighted the anxiety many students experience around degrees in the humanities, particularly when career pathways appear less direct than in professions such as law, accounting or engineering.
First-generation students and alumni shared stories of financial insecurity, commuting long distances, working multiple jobs while studying and navigating university systems without family networks or prior institutional knowledge.
At the same time, many participants emphasised the importance of leadership opportunities, mentorship, student organisations and campus support structures in helping them develop confidence, networks and professional experience.
Hannelie Booyens Senior Writer, Corporate Communications and Marketing
