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Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says the country now faces the challenge of absorbing millions of educated young people into the economy.
Chikunga was speaking at the launch of the 50th anniversary commemoration of the 1976 Youth Uprisings in Soweto.
Gauteng Premier Cde Panyaza Lesufi marks the launch of the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprisings in Soweto, honouring the legacy of the youth of 1976 and inspiring today’s generation.
📍 Uncle Toms Community Centre, Soweto#YearOfDecisiveAction ⚫️🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/rqx3F92Gjg
— Gauteng ANC (@GautengANC) May 14, 2026
She says, unlike previous years where June 16 is marked during Youth Month, the government is this time launching a year-long jubilee programme to honour the legacy of the 1976 youth.
Chikunga says many graduates still struggle to find employment and calls on businesses and SMMEs to help create opportunities for young people.
“The challenge that we have as a country is to absorb these many young people that are graduating, it is to absorb these many young people that are completing matric and getting exemptions and bachelor’s degrees, for them to get access to tertiary institutions. And the number of young children that can be admitted to our tertiary institutions is not sufficient to absorb all of them. This is the challenge that we are facing as a country, with the good work that we have done.”
Video | 1976 Youth Uprisings | Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga to officially launch the 50th Anniversary:
As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprisings, we honour the courage of young people who stood against injustice and helped shape the future of South Africa.
Their bravery continues to inspire a new generation to rise with purpose, innovation, leadership… pic.twitter.com/Y2vPNEU3Cu— NYDARSA (@NYDARSA) May 14, 2026
