SADTU STATEMENT ON NATIONAL YOUTH DAY
On National Youth Day, commemorated annually on 16 June, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the nation in remembering the historic sacrifices made by the youth of 1976. This year’s Youth Month is observed under the theme: “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.”
This day pays tribute to the brave young people who, on 16 June 1976, rose in protest against the apartheid regime’s imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in Black schools. Armed with nothing but courage and stones, they confronted the brutal machinery of the apartheid state. Many were killed, arrested, and injured, but their resistance ignited a wave of defiance that accelerated the struggle for liberation.
We salute the youth of 1976 for their bravery, unity, and undying spirit. Their courage is now commemorated continent-wide, as the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) declared June 16 as the Day of the African Child. This day serves to bring together governments, civil society, and communities to advance children’s rights and build an Africa that is fit for its children.
Today, South Africa enjoys a constitutional democracy that enshrines the rights to dignity, freedom, and equality. But as we mark 31 years of democracy, we are painfully aware that the lived experiences of many young people still reflect deep inequalities and systemic challenges. Unemployment levels among the youth are high. They are victims of crime, gender-based violence and lack the skills to create their own employment opportunities.
According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2025, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high. The total number of unemployed youth rose by 151,000 to 4.8 million. At the same time, the number of employed youth declined by 153,000 to 5.7 million. This pushed the youth unemployment rate from 44.6% in Q4 of 2024 to 46.1% in Q1 of 2025.
This year’s theme, “Skills for the Changing World,” resonates with SADTU’s 10th Congress theme which emphasise the strengthening of foundational learning and functional skills to advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
For many young South Africans, skills for the changing world are out of reach. Many lack access to quality education and skills development opportunities. Others, despite having qualifications, find that job opportunities are few and shrinking.
Best performing countries focus on funding education as an investment. Government must Go Public and Fund Education. Further, we call on the private sector to rise to the challenge. Let this theme not be a slogan, but a call to action:
- Invest in quality education and training that responds to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
- Expand access to vocational, artisan, and technical training.
- Support youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Prioritise youth employment in both public and private programmes.
As SADTU, rooted in the education sector, we reaffirm our commitment to support initiatives aimed at skilling the youth. But beyond just skills, we advocate for a holistic education system that builds caring, tolerant, patriotic, and socially responsible citizens.
To fail our youth today is to betray the sacrifices of the 1976 generation. Let us honour their legacy by empowering today’s youth to shape a better tomorrow not from the margins, but from the centre of our society and economy.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat