South Africa's ailing economy has left many people struggling to find work. One of them is Valencia Baloyi who's been looking for a job since she graduated from university. This is her story.

Cape Town

Nearly half of the individuals under the age of 34 in South Africa are facing unemployment, highlighting the broader issue of the country's struggling economy. Among those affected is Valencia Baloyi, who has been searching for employment since completing her university studies in public relations in 2022. Despite her active efforts to find a job, including applying to multiple positions daily, Baloyi has not received any positive responses, leaving her feeling frustrated and questioning the value of her education and efforts.

Baloyi, a resident of Soweto, has shared her experience of living as an unemployed young person in South Africa. She describes the emotional toll of joblessness, feeling "useless" and as if she's not contributing to society despite her qualifications. The Department of Labour's implementation of the Nurses' Fund, meant to facilitate job access for the youth, was mentioned by Baloyi as an initiative she pursued without success, pointing to systemic issues. She acknowledges the government's support through Nafsas, which allowed her to attend university without financial burden, but criticizes the overall approach to addressing youth unemployment and accuses the government of failing to fulfill its promises since 1994.



Nearly half of under 34's are unemployed in South Africa

My name is Valencia Siani Baloi, I live in Soweto and I'm a young unemployed South African. I studied public relations from 2018 to 2022. In 2022 I graduated and then after graduating I stayed at home doing nothing, still applying for work but nothing came up. It makes me feel useless, like I've just wasted another... It makes me feel like I'm not doing anything to contribute, there's nothing out there. I've been applying, if you could see my sent emails in a day, I apply maybe at six places but no response. I think for me, me personally, if I could find a job my life would be more easier and then access more things. The Department of Labour has introduced the Nurses' Fund so that we can gain access to, like the youth can gain access for them to find work can be more easier. I've applied for it after metric, still when I go to the system right now, the system itself is not working. Everything is a mess man, I don't know. I appreciate the opportunity that the government has paid for me. Nafsas has paid for me to go to school for free. Yes, that was the only thing that I'm grateful for. The youth are struggling still in this country because of what the government is promising us lies. From 1994 till now, I haven't seen any change for me.

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