Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2018/03/15

The South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) released a publication underlining the urgent need for investment, economic growth and policy reforms, especially in education, if the country is to reduce its high unemployment figures.

Speaking to Radio Islam, IRR analyst Gabriela Mackay notes that the trends of employment in the country is worrying.

“In a country where only 21% of people employed have tertiary education, the decreasing contribution of sectors that have traditionally absorbed low and semi-skilled labour is worsening the problem of unemployment.”

McKay says people without some form of tertiary education find it harder to find employment.

She adds that jobseekers need to be upskilled, while simultaneously promoting investment-driven growth.

“Better education and training, renewed investment and economic growth should be the means by which South Africa seeks to combat unemployment.”

Mackay indicates that South Africa needs to find a more balanced approach when up skilling workers in the various sectors of the economy.