Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called for urgent action to strengthen South Africa’s education-to-work pipeline, highlighting the need to better align early childhood development, schooling, and post-school training with the demands of the economy.
Speaking at the National Education Summit held at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Gauteng, the Minister said the country is facing more than just high unemployment levels. He described the issue as a “crisis of pathways”, where millions of young people struggle to transition from education into meaningful employment.
According to Manamela, approximately 3.4 million young South Africans are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET), a situation he says reflects deep systemic challenges.
“Our crisis is not only unemployment [but] a crisis of pathways. A system that does not yet move young people efficiently from learning into earning, from potential into productivity… from aspiration into dignity.
“We must build a pipeline that is coherent from early childhood, through schooling, into post-school education and training, and ultimately into the economy,” the Minister said.
He emphasised that education should be viewed as a bridge to economic participation, rather than a standalone sector.
Early Childhood Development Remains A Key Priority
Manamela identified Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a critical starting point in building a stronger education system. Government has increased investment in this area, allocating R18.4 billion over the medium term and expanding access to early learning programmes for an additional 300 000 children.
Despite this progress, he raised concern over findings from the Thrive by Five Index, which show that only 42% of children are developmentally on track by the age of five.
“This means inequality is not simply reproduced later in life. It is produced early, in access to nutrition, stimulation, language development, and quality early learning,” he said.
Entrepreneurship Education Gains Momentum
The Minister also stressed the importance of entrepreneurship education in addressing youth unemployment. With limited capacity in the formal job market, he said the education system must equip young people to become job creators.
All 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa now offer entrepreneurship programmes, with more than 47 000 students participating in 2024.
However, Manamela noted that success in entrepreneurship depends on more than just training. Access to funding, markets, mentorship, and real-world experience remains essential.
“Entrepreneurship will not thrive in an economy that is structurally closed. This is not only about changing the mindset of young people but also opening the economy itself [and] ensuring that small enterprises can access funding, compete, and grow,” the Minister said.
Expanding Artisan Training And Vocational Education
On vocational education, Manamela highlighted a significant skills gap. While the economy requires around 30 000 artisans each year, South Africa is currently producing only about 20 000.
To address this, government is expanding Centres of Specialisation, which form part of the country’s artisan development strategy. These centres aim to increase training capacity, improve quality, and better align skills development with industry needs.
Government targets include 37 000 artisan registrations this year, 29 000 qualified artisans annually within the next two years, and more than 200 000 work-based learning opportunities.
“Vocational education is not a second choice. It is a central pillar of our development. From fragmentation to a single system,” he said.
Call For Collaboration Across Sectors
Manamela acknowledged that significant funding has already been invested in education, including financial support for over 700 000 students through NSFAS and daily meals provided to nearly 10 million learners.
However, he stressed that the main challenge lies in coordination and implementation.
“Our challenge is not a lack of programmes but fragmentation,” he said. “This is a system problem, and it requires a system response.”
The Minister called for stronger partnerships between government, industry, labour, and civil society to build a more integrated and effective education system.
“When funding is delayed, when systems fail, [and] when young people are left uncertain, we are not simply dealing with administrative issues [but] breaking a contract. That is why we are addressing these challenges directly, with urgency and accountability.
“We have the plans, resources, and targets. Delivery requires all of us as government, industry, labour, and civil society to work together as a coordinated system,” Manamela said.
Additional reporting by SANews.gov.za.
