South Africa has one of
the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, and while the
government tries its own solutions, entrepreneurs are coming up with new
ideas to tackle the problem.
On a sweltering summer morning, a group of around 50 men pace the streets of a Johannesburg suburb canvassing for jobs.They hold up placards marketing themselves as plumbers, painters and builders. This has become a common sight in a country where unemployment stands at 25%. The majority are under the age of 35, often with few or only basic skills.
Rudzani Richard is a 29-year-old plumber. Dressed in a beanie, jeans and trainers, he looks like most of the trendy city youth.
He waits outside a popular hardware shop, hoping to be picked up by customers who need extra hands.
Rudzani says he's been coming to the same spot almost every day for the past three years and earns between $15-$20 (£9-£12) for a day's work. "I get one day a week or two days a week, so I'm suffering," he says.
Ticking time bomb South Africa has more than 10 million jobless people and half of them are between the ages of 15 and 24.
The main union federation, Cosatu, has warned
that if not speedily and adequately addressed, youth unemployment in the
country could be "a ticking time bomb".
Unemployment in South Africa has been made worse by an
education system described by many as "in turmoil". The government has
created a Human Resource Development Strategy that, until 2030, will
focus on improving basic education. In the meantime, organisations and entrepreneurs are coming up with new approaches to help young people find work.