INTRODUCTION 

International youth day is celebrated annually across the globe on the 12th of every August.  This day was explicitly designated by the United Nations (UN) to bring to attention the issues faced by the youth worldwide. The youth in South Africa are not spared the dilemma of unemployment. Labour experts report that the country currently has around 46,3% of unemployed youth between the ages of 15 and 34 years,  while the country is filled with resources and opportunities that could benefit the youth.

THE RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT

Article 7 (2) of the South African constitution stipulates that the state must respect, protect and promote the rights enshrined in the bill of rights, including the right to work and employment. Unfortunately, the future looks bleak for many young South Africans trying their luck in the job market.  Moreover, 32,6 % of graduates, those who one would assume to have opportunities to better their lives, are unemployed in South Africa. The lack of opportunities appears to blunder the right to work and employment, much to the annoyance of the youth that they even take to the streets to demand opportunities and access to an employment right that the government fails to deliver. This has led to many social ills, particularly substance abuse and crime, due to frustration and loitering by the youth.

THE SOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT INFILTRATED

The government introduced youth empowerment programmes to accelerate employment among the young population but nepotism and favouritism seem to have infiltrated this initiative. Such programs have noted complaints of corruption and favours for employment, which denies the rightfully deserving youth benefit. Moreover, mismanagement of funds appears to be the order of the day among those tasked with ensuring such programmes run smoothly.

The government in South Africa has established various programmes with businesses aimed at curbing the scourge of unemployment. The programmes are making slow progress as most focus solely on graduates than the general youth population. Programmes focusing on entrepreneurship, where the youth become entrepreneurs and create jobs for themselves, appear to be solutions to the programmes imposed on them by the state, which cater to a specific section of the youth population. 

The private sector in the country can also make the job market accessible for those without qualifications to access in-house skills training, where the youth is empowered with knowledge and skills while also earning. This could go a long way in eradicating the youth unemployment problem plugging South Africa. Moreover, it will also assist the state in realizing its right to empower its citizens through socio-economic empowerment responsibility.

CONCLUSION 

In conclusion, every South African youth’s the right to benefit from South Africa’s resources. The programmes by the South African government and the private sector have a role to play in ensuring every South African youth accesses job opportunities. This is through the realization of the right to employment.