KZN Graduates Call on Godongwana to Deliver Jobs in 2025 Budget Speech

As South Africa continues to grapple with sluggish economic growth and high unemployment, graduates in KwaZulu-Natal are looking to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s upcoming budget speech for signs of hope and change.

Among them is 26-year-old Dr. Kenneth Sithole, who despite completing his community service, remains unemployed—like hundreds of other medical doctors in the province.

Raised in the rural town of Mkhuze, Sithole says he’s eager to serve underserved communities but feels let down by a system unable to absorb newly qualified professionals.

“It’s incredibly frustrating to be qualified and sitting at home without any opportunities,” he says. “There’s a real need for doctors in rural areas, yet we remain sidelined due to budget constraints.”

Last year, unemployed doctors across the country took to the streets, demanding government action over what they describe as a growing healthcare crisis. A list of 825 jobless doctors was submitted to the health department by the South African Medical Association Trade Union. Yet, little has changed.

“We’ve protested three years in a row,” Sithole adds. “Each time, we’re told there isn’t enough money to open up posts.”

The unemployment rate in South Africa may have dropped slightly—down 1.4 percentage points to 32.1% in Q3 of 2024—but the broader picture remains bleak. Stats SA reports a staggering increase in the number of unemployed people: from 5.2 million in 2014 to 8 million in 2024.

With these figures in mind, graduates are pleading with Godongwana to prioritize job creation and youth development in his 2025 budget address.

What Young South Africans Want from the Budget

Graduates are calling for more than just rhetoric—they want action. Their wish list includes expanded learnerships, funding for higher education, and programs to support entrepreneurship and self-employment.

“We need learnerships that give us real-world experience,” says one graduate. “That way we can build strong CVs and move forward without always depending on our families.”

Another notes, “More support for startups and skills development could help us create our own paths instead of waiting for limited job openings.”

Business Sector Weighs In

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has echoed these concerns, urging the government to focus on structural reforms, improve the education system, and develop employment strategies tailored for young people.

According to BUSA, collaboration between the public sector, private enterprise, and civil society is crucial to reversing the tide of youth unemployment.

As anticipation builds for the 2025 budget speech, graduates across the country—especially in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal—will be watching closely, hoping for more than just promises.

{Source: SABC News}

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