Category: MIL-OSI

By Sandile Nene 
The pressing crisis of high unemployment in South Africa can no longer be addressed by government alone, it requires a collective effort from the public sector, private sector, labour, civil society and communities themselves. The time has come for young people to seize the power of small businesses and create employment opportunities in their own communities. 

The latest Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force report revealed that unemployment stood at 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026. These figures should keep us all awake at night. The country’s unemployment rate remains a deeply concerning reality, and sadly, the burden falls most heavily on the youth and women who make up a substantial proportion of our population. This growing crisis demands bold action and entrepreneurship at the local level must be part of the solution.

Most people think that becoming an entrepreneur requires a big idea and substantial capital, yet that is not always the case. Small businesses are proving to be a powerful way to revive township economies and at the same time create much-needed jobs. 

Starting a small business to meet identified needs in our communities will not only provide our youth with an income but can also begin a cycle of community upliftment. It is for this reason that South Africans, in particular, women and young people with an aptitude for business, are encouraged to seize the opportunity and start their own small businesses.

Over the years, government has introduced a range of interventions aimed at empowering young people and creating pathways into the economy. Programmes such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the Youth Employment Service, skills development initiatives, public employment programmes and support for entrepreneurship are part of broader efforts to ensure that young South Africans are not left behind. 

Through the Department of Small Business Development, and institutions such as the Small Enterprise Development Agency and the National Youth Development Agency, government continues to invest in skills training, funding access, and business support. 

Additionally, the Transformation Fund continues to be instrumental in supporting black-owned businesses and historically disadvantaged individuals. Furthermore, R350 million has been committed for ‘a government and business partnership’ aimed at placing 130 000 young people into learning and employment opportunities.

This is in addition to R95 million committed to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to support Youth Employment Innovation Projects also aimed at placing 7 000 young people into productive economic activities. 

Government led by the Department of Employment and Labour, has also declared 2026 as “The Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work, in Honour of the 1976 Youth and Commemoration of the Youth Uprising Golden Jubilee.” This is a clarion call to repositioning and repurposing government interventions, to respond more effectively to South Africa’s deepening unemployment crisis.

Government recognises the youth as the future leaders of our country and in addition to entrepreneurship calls on young people to also choose careers that are in high demand such as engineering and information technology. 

*Nene is the Acting Deputy Director-General at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

The Department of Home Affairs is continuing work to replace the green barcoded ID books with secure smart IDs.

Responding to questions at an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration media briefing on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, said the green ID is the most defrauded piece of identity document in South Africa.

“There are studies that it is the most defrauded identity document on the African continent and it is easy to understand why, it has got a physical photograph that can be manipulated or exchanged or swapped. If you lose your green ID, or someone steals it, it can easily be manipulated by putting another photo in there,” Schreiber said.

The Minster added that artificial intelligence can also be used to manipulate documents with criminal syndicates and illegal foreign nationals having the ability to manipulate IDs.

He added that there are about 16 million green ID books that are still in use.

“Our job is to replace those with secure smart IDs,” he said.

Schreiber said that through the digital partnership with the banking sector, people are able to walk into bank branches and apply to switch from the green ID to a smart ID. 

“We are moving very rapidly to expand this. We want to get to 750 bank branches by the end of this year. we are live  now in more than 178 branches throughout the country [and] many of them are in rural areas where previously people did not have access to the services,” he said. 

Last week it was announced that government will establish an Intelligent Population Register containing biometric data for every person in South Africa and introduce new regulations to prevent the misuse of Traffic Registration Numbers (TRNs).

This is part of a broader effort to strengthen migration management while upholding constitutional values and human dignity.

As part of the process, government will progressively phase out the green barcoded identity book, which President Cyril Ramaphosa said has been exploited by undocumented immigrants and criminal syndicates to facilitate identity theft. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

Parliament will convene the National Youth Parliament on Monday, in Johannesburg, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Student Uprisings and mark 30 years of South Africa’s transformative Constitution.

Taking place under the theme: “Youth Empowerment for a Suitable Future,” the 2026 Youth Parliament will reflect on whether the Constitution has delivered on its promise to build an equal and cohesive society, with a particular focus on youth development, economic participation and social cohesion.

The day will feature a reflection on the 1976 Uprisings, including a panel discussion with survivors and activists titled: “We planned it, we marched it: what happened on 16 June and why it matters.”

National Youth Day is celebrated on June 16 to honour the role young people played in the fight against apartheid and the Soweto Uprising of 1976. 

This year’s commemoration marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising, one of the defining moments in South Africa’s liberation struggle. 

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, will deliver the high-level opening address and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, will present the closing remarks. 

Representatives from faith-based organisations, LGBTQ+ youth, youth in arts, disabled youth forums and unemployed graduates will participate in the session. –SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng provincial government has congratulated all participants in the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon, from elite athletes and seasoned ultramarathoners to first-time finishers who took on one of the world’s greatest tests of human endurance.

“Every athlete who stood on the start line and every runner who crossed the finish line is deserving of recognition. The Comrades Marathon is far more than a race; it is a celebration of perseverance, sacrifice, discipline and the limitless potential of the human spirit,” MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile said on Monday.

The MEC said the 2026 Comrades Marathon once again showcased the very best of the human spirit, with thousands of runners demonstrating extraordinary courage, discipline, resilience and determination over the demanding 85.7km up run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

He extended special congratulations to George Kusche on his victory in the marathon, describing his performance as a masterclass in endurance running and a fitting reminder of what can be achieved through preparation, belief and determination.

“The Comrades Marathon once again demonstrated the power of sport to unite people. Regardless of race, gender, language, social standing or background, runners stood together in pursuit of a common dream. This spirit of unity and social cohesion is one of the greatest strengths of our country and something we must continue to celebrate and protect,” Maile said.

He added that one of the most inspiring aspects of the race was seeing thousands of South Africans from different races, cultures, languages, communities and backgrounds sharing the same road, pursuing the same goal and encouraging one another throughout the journey.

The MEC also congratulated the Comrades Marathon Association for successfully organising another world-class event that brought together runners from across South Africa and the world in a celebration of athletic excellence and human endurance.

Public servants from across the Gauteng provincial government were among the thousands of athletes who participated in this year’s race.

They included 42 participants from the Department of Education and 42 from the Gauteng Department of Health.

Social Development followed with 13 participants; e-Government had nine; Human Settlements, Roads and Transport, and Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation had four each; the Office of the Premier and Provincial Treasury had three each; Community Safety and Economic Development had two each; and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Infrastructure Development and the Gauteng Liquor Board had one each.

“Our runners have made Gauteng proud. They have demonstrated exceptional discipline, endurance and perseverance. We encourage more people to take up running, build healthy communities and become ambassadors for wellness and social cohesion. 

“Looking ahead, we believe Gauteng has the talent, determination and depth to produce a future Comrades Marathon champion. As we celebrate the achievements of the 2026 race, we also set our sights on the landmark 100th edition of the Comrades Marathon in 2027,” Maile said. –SAnews.gov.za