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[File photo] Unemployed people line a street in Cape Town waiting for casual employment.
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has called on the government to declare youth unemployment a national disaster, warning that the scale of the crisis threatens social stability, dignity and the country’s future.
The league acknowledges that while some provinces are making efforts to address the issue, others are unfortunately left behind. The league says declaring this crisis a national disaster will ensure a coordinated and unified response across all provinces.
[ON AIR] The African National Congress Youth League has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare youth unemployment a national disaster, warning that the scale of the crisis threatens social stability, dignity and the country’s future. Zama Khanyase – @ANCYLhq Spokesperson… pic.twitter.com/voTf9ohwQK
— SAfmRadio 📻 (@SAfmRadio) December 26, 2025
ANCYL Spokesperson Zama Khanyase says President Cyril Ramaphosa has shown support for their call.
“Everyone is alerted when there is a national disaster. They coordinate a centralised management under the National Disaster Management Centre for a unified response across provinces. So, it means that everyone would be having to do something about youth unemployment and forced to do so. There would be reports that are received on what is happening to implement this. There will be funds unlocked because, remember, even if some of these departments and provinces can have plans on how they can turn things around, but with lack of funds, they are unable to actually implement some of the things. So, we know that once a national disaster is declared, then there’s going to be special powers and funds that will be unlocked.”
The ANCYL notes that while today is Christmas Day, traditionally a period of joy, rest and family, millions of young people across South Africa are experiencing a black Christmas marked by unemployed, hunger and deepening economic exclusion and therefore calls on the President to… pic.twitter.com/SIzfQDxH3J
— ANCYL (@ANCYLhq) December 25, 2025
