Zengeziwe Msimang challenges the idea that youth unemployment is a youth failure, arguing instead that it is a structural problem shaped by skills mismatches, incentives, and a shortage of real jobs. In conversation with Nkepile Mabuse, she pushes the debate toward a harder question South Africa can no longer avoid: what future jobs are being built, and who is truly responsible for creating them.

In March, our media conversations highlighted our ongoing efforts to connect young people to sustainable employment, training, and entrepreneurial opportunities alongside hosting an SA Youth Employer Breakfast to strengthen partnerships that drive impact. 

In case you missed it click on the link for media features on the role Harambee plays in shaping the narrative on youth employment. 

Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism Hosted the SA Youth Employer Breakfast in Cape Town, where employers, government leaders, and social partners gathered to discuss solutions. 

Speakers highlighted the SA Youth platform, which connects young people to jobs, internships, learnerships, and training opportunities, while also building skills and confidence. The platform is data-free and accessible, ensuring even those in underserved communities can benefit. Employers gain access to a wide pool of talent, while young people gain pathways into the workforce. 

The event emphasized that tackling youth unemployment is not only an economic issue but also one of dignity and hope. Leaders urged employers to adopt inclusive hiring practices and collaborate more boldly to create lasting impact. 

Click below to read more:

The Cape Towner
Sentinal News
IOL
NEWS24
Radio Bush 

Kasthuri Soni, CEO of the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, spoke to Mudiwa Gavaza on Business Day Spotlight about solutions to South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. She highlighted that around 9 million young people are not in employment, education, or training, with 1 million new job seekers entering the labour market each year. She emphasised the need to scale proven, evidence-based programmes rather than creating new ones, and pointed out the disconnect between education and employer needs. She advocated for alternative approaches like micro-credentialing and stackable skills, and highlighted platforms like SA Youth for connecting young people to opportunities. She also identified key sectors for job creation, including the digital economy, agriculture, global business services, and tourism. 

Sharmi Surianarain, Chief Impact Officer and CEO Kasthuri Soni of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator co-authored “Growth Works for a Young Country,”  an opinion piece highlighting that youth should be seen as an investment to drive productivity, that sectors like tourism and global business services can deliver inclusive growth, and that the priority now is scaling proven solutions supported by platforms like SA Youth and programmes such as Jobs Boost and the Jobs Fund. 

Sharmi Surianarain, Chief Impact Officer at the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, spoke at the News24 on The Record Summit about what kind of economic growth can create jobs at scale. She emphasised that while growth is important, how it works matters even more in a young country like South Africa. 

Read more here  

Hanlie de Bod-Leaf, CIO at the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, has been shortlisted for CIO of the Year at the 2026 Wired4Women Awards. The awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievements of women across the tech industry, while promoting gender inclusion in South Africa’s technology sector. Hanlie is among a group of leading CIOs advancing to the final round of interviews, where winners will be selected.