The Hidden Struggle: Unemployment's Grip on the Youth

Unemployed youth in Upington say unemployment is a daily struggle. They says they feel left behind, struggling to find their footing in a job market that seems stacked against them. Maxine Jones, an unemployed young person, highlights that research shows shockingly large numbers of young people unable to find employment. She explains that as she goes about her daily life, it's easy to overlook the silent struggle many young people face, especially those without job experience. Jones elaborates that she is vulnerable to exploitation and that her dignity is compromised by the desperation to survive.Insert - (No Job Experience)Chariston Bates, a young mother from Kimberley, Northern Cape, says that being a young unemployed mother is taking a toll on her mental health. She explains that finding a job without any experience seems like a never-ending cycle. Bates encourages business owners to provide youth with opportunities, training, and support to help alleviate the weight of unemployment.Insert - (weight of unemployment)

Journalist: Murial Meintjies
Email: intern2@radioriverside.co.za