Understanding Youth Unemployment and Social Inclusion in South Africa

Authors

  • Busani Ngcaweni University of Johannesburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/0304-615X/1502

Keywords:

Social cohesion, youth unemployment, marginalisation, socio-economic conditions

Abstract

This paper discusses the relationship between youth unemployment and social cohesion by attempting to answer two questions: Firstly, why is it important for South Africa to take into consideration youth unemployment as a hindrance to social cohesion? And, secondly, do such considerations necessitate more holistic and context-specific policies or strategies in synchronising social cohesion initiatives with youth development policies? The paper’s preliminary hypothesis is that there is a strong correlation between high levels of youth unemployment and low levels of social cohesion in South Africa and that improvements in the level of cohesiveness require high levels of inclusiveness within the socioeconomic structures of a country, notably in the economy. The secondary hypothesis is that for South Africa to achieve sustained social inclusion, it is imperative that holistic and context-specific strategies are implemented. It is through context-specific youth development policies that accelerated socioeconomic inclusion can be achieved.

References

Afrobarometer. 2016. Youth political engagement in South Africa: Beyond student protests. Afrobarometer. http://www.afrobarometer.org/publications/ad101-youth-political-engagement-south-africa-beyond-student-protests (accessed October 19, 2016)

Alba, R.D. 1973. A graph theoretic definition of a sociometric clique. Journal of Mathematical Sociology 3: 113–126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0022250X.1973.9989826

Alexander, P. 2010. Rebellion of the poor: South Africa's service delivery protests – a preliminary analysis. Review of African Political Economy 37(123): 25–40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03056241003637870

Ardington, C. 2013. SALDRU Policy Brief: Youth Unemployment and Social Protection. University of Cape Town. http://www.saldru.uct.ac.za/documentation/policy-briefs-1/353-saldru-research-brief-youth-unemployment-and-social-protection/file. (accessed April 16, 2015)

Awogbenle, C., and C. Iwuamadi. 2010. Youth unemployment: Entrepreneurship development programme as an intervention mechanism. African Journal of Business Management 4(6): 831–835.

Banjo, A. and N. Jili. 2013. Youth and service delivery violence in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Journal of Public Administration 48(2): 251–266.

Berger-Schmitt, R. 2000. Social Cohesion as an Aspect of the Quality of Societies: Concept and Measurement. EU Reporting Working Paper No. 14. http://www.gesis.org/fileadmin/upload/dienstleistung/daten/soz_indikatoren/eusi/paper14.pdf. (accessed May 8, 2015)

Betts, J., S. Watson and C. Gaynor. 2010. DFID Global Social Exclusion Stocktake Report: Annexes. London: Department for International Development.

Brodwin, P. 2001. Marginality and cultural intimacy in a trans-national Haitian community. Occasional Paper No. 91, October. Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Burger, J. 2009. The reasons behind service delivery protests in South Africa, 29 July 2009. Institute for Security Studies. http://www.issafrica.org/iss-today/the-reasons-behind-service-delivery-protests-in-south-africa. (accessed June 8, 2015)

Chabal, P. 2009. Africa: The politics of suffering and smiling. Pietermaritzburg: UKZN Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350218086

Chan, J., H. To and E. Chan. 2006. Reconsidering social cohesion: Developing a definition and analytical framework for empirical research. Social Indicators Research 75(2): 273–302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-005-2118-1

Demombynes, G., and B. Ozler. 2005. Crime and local inequality in South Africa. Journal of Development Economics 76: 265–292. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2003.12.015

Department of Economic Development of the Republic of South Africa. 2013. Youth Employment Accord, 18 April 2013 http://www.economic.gov.za/communications/publications/youth-employment-accord. (accessed May 21, 2015)

Easterly, W., J. Ritzen and M. Woolcock. 2006. Social cohesion, institutions and growth. Economics and Politics 18(2): 103–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0343.2006.00165.x

Foundation for European Progressive Studies. 2016. The Millennial Dialogue South Africa. http://www.fes-southafrica.org/fes/the-millennial-dialogue-south-africa-survey-results-2016/. (accessed June 9, 2016)

Frame, E., A. De Lannoy, and M. Leibbrandt. 2016. Measuring multidimensional poverty among youth in South Africa at the sub-national level. Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit Working Paper Number 169. Cape Town: SALDRU, University of Cape Town.

Freedman, R., and D. Wise. 1982. The youth labour market problem: Its nature, causes, and consequences. http://www.nber.org/chapters/c7869.pdf. (accessed May 11, 2015) DOI: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226261867.001.0001

French, J.P. 1956. A formal theory of social power. Psychological Review 63: 181–194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0046123

Friedkin, N. 2004. Social cohesion. Annual Review of Sociology 30: 409–425. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.30.012703.110625

Gauteng Provincial Government. 2014. Gauteng provincial social cohesion summit Concept Document. Johannesburg: Gauteng Provincial Government.

Gumede, V. 2016. Post-Apartheid South Africa: Economic and social inclusion. New York: Cambria Press.

Gurung, G., and M. Kollmair. 2005. Marginality: Concepts and their limitations. IPS Working Paper No. 4. Zurich: University of Zurich.

Human Science Research Council (HSRC). 2005. Survey on South African voter participation in elections. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:lmf38bnCkPcJ:https://www.elections.org.za/content/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx%3Fid%3D1161+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=za. (accessed June 5, 2015)

Hurni, H., U. Wiesmann, A. Pascal and P. Messerli. 2004. Initiating research for mitigating syndromes of global change in different contexts. In Oriental research partnerships: Perspectives of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South, ed. H. Hurni and U. Wiesmann, 11–30. Bern: Geographica Bernensia.

Hussmanns, R., F. Mehran and V. Verma. 1990. Surveys of economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment: An ILO manual on concepts and methods. Geneva: International Labour Organization.

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). 2013. The South African economy: An overview of key trends since 1994. Input paper into the 20-year Review. http://www.idc.co.za/reports/IDC%20R&I%20publication%20-%20Overview%20of%20key%20trends%20in%20SA%20economy%20since%201994.pdf. (accessed May 21, 2015)

Institute of Justice and Reconciliation (IJR). 2012. SA Reconciliation Barometer Survey: 2012 Report. http://reconciliationbarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2012-SA-Reconciliation-Barometer-FINAL.pdf. (accessed May 20, 2015)

International Labour Organization (ILO). 2013. Indicator 2: Youth unemployment rate, 2013. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/yen/whatwedo/projects/indicators/2.htm. (accessed April 12, 2015)

Jeannotte, S. 2000. Social cohesion around the world: An international comparison of definitions and issues. Strategic Research and Analysis. International Comparative Research Group. Paper SRA-309. Department of Canadian Heritage http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/governance/eng/documents/social_cohesion_around_world.pdf. (accessed May 12, 2015)

Jenson, J. 1998. Mapping social cohesion: The state of Canadian research. Canadian Policy Research Networks. CPRN Study No. F03. http://cprn.org/documents/15723_en.pdf. (accessed May 12, 2015)

Kearns, A, and R. Forrest. 2000. Social cohesion and multilevel urban governance. Urban Studies 37(5–6): 995–1017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00420980050011208

Langa, M, and P. Kiguwa. 2013. Violent masculinities and service delivery protests in post-apartheid South Africa: A case study of two communities in Mpumalanga. Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity 27(1): 20–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10130950.2013.793897

Larsen, J. E. 2002. Who Cares about and for Marginal People? Danish Social Science

Research Council. http://lnx.a77web.it/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=13. (accessed October 19, 2016)

Leoschut, L. and Bonora, A. 2007. Offender perspectives on violent crime. In Someone stole my smile: An exploration into the causes of youth violence in South Africa, ed. P. Burton, 89–112. Cape Town: Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention.

Luce, R., and A. Perry. 1949. A method of matrix analysis of group structure. Psychometrika 14: 95–116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289146

Mattes, R. and S Richmond. 2014. South Africa’s Youth and Political Participation: 1994-2014. CSSR Working Paper No. 338. Cape Town: Centre for Social Sciences Research

Mayer, M. 2011. Towards a youth employment strategy of South Africa. Working Paper Series No.28. Development Bank of South Africa. http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/fileadmin/uploads/aeo/PDF/DPD%20No28.pdf. (accessed May 3, 2015)

McCracken, M. 1998. Social cohesion and macroeconomic performance. Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS), Conference: The State of Living Standards and the Quality of Life, October 30-31. http://www.csls.ca/events/oct98/mccr.pdf. (accessed May 12, 2015)

Müller-Böker, U., D. Geiger, D., U. Geiser, V.B.S. Kansakar, M. Kollmair, K. Molesworth and A. Suleri. 2004. Sustainable Development in Marginal Regions of South Asia. In Research for Mitigating Syndromes of Global Change; A Trans-disciplinary Appraisal of Selected Regions of the World to Prepare Development-Oriented Research Partnerships, ed. H. Hurni, U. Wiesmann, R. Schertenleib, 225–261. Bern: NCCR North-South.

Muncie, J. 2009. Youth and Crime. London: Sage.

National Planning Commission (NPC). 2012. National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. Our future – make it work. Pretoria. Government of South Africa www.npconline.co.za/MediaLib/Downloads/Downloads/NDP%202030%20-%20Our%20future%20-%20make%20it%20work.pdf. (accessed July 10, 2013)

National Treasury of the Republic of South Africa (National Treasury). 2011. Confronting Youth Unemployment: Policy Options for South Africa. http://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/national%20budget/2011/Confronting%20youth%20unemployment%20-%20Policy%20options.pdf. (accessed May 5, 2015)

National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). 2009. National Youth Policy, March 2009. http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/MediaLib/Downloads/Home/Publications/YouthPublications/NationalYouthPolicyPDF/NYP.pdf. (accessed May 28, 2015)

Ngcaweni, B. 2006. Beyond the 30th anniversary of June 16th: Youth development and the current policy trajectory. Youth Development Digest 2(2): 36–46.

Ngcaweni, B. Matemba, L. and Lentsoane, L. 2014. 20 Years of Youth Development in South Africa: An Rapid Appraisal. Working Paper prepared for 20 Year Review project of the Presidency presented at South Africa @ Twenty Conference, Oxford University, United Kingdom.

Ngcaweni, B., and P. Moleke. 2008. Youth outside the mainstream: Discussion points. Unpublished working paper for the Presidency.

Nürnberger, K. 1999. Prosperity, poverty and pollution. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.

O’Higgins, N. 1997. The challenge of youth unemployment. http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_120239.pdf. (accessed May 15, 2015)

Okafor, E. 2011. Youth unemployment and implications for stability of democracy in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 13(1): 358–373.

Omede, A. 2013. Economic marginalisation in some selected states in the Niger Delta. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences 3(11): 61–71.

Paolina, G. 2014. Youth social exclusion and lessons from youth work: Evidence from literatures and surveys. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency.

Posel, D. 2013. Job search and the measurement of unemployment in South Africa, February 2013. http://www.redi3x3.org/sites/default/files/Posel%20et%20al%202013%20REDI3x3%20Working%20paper%203%20-%20November.pdf. (accessed April 14, 2015)

Presidency. 2009. National Youth Policy (NYP) 2009-2014. http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/MediaLib/Downloads/Home/Publications/YouthPublications/NationalYouthPolicyPDF/NYP.pdf. (accessed May 21, 2015)

Presidency. 2014. Twenty Year Review: South Africa 1994-2014. Background Paper: Youth. Available from: http://www.thepresidency-dpme.gov.za/publications/20%20Years%20Review/20%20Year%20Review%20Documents/20YR%20Youth.pdf. (accessed May 28, May 2015)

Presidency. 2015. Draft national Youth Policy 2014-2019, 12 January 2015. Available from: http://www.gov.za/sites/www.gov.za/files/38393_gen15.pdf. (accessed: 15 May 15, 2015)

Rankin, N., G. Roberts and V. Schöer. 2012. The challenges that young South Africans face in accessing jobs: Could targeted wage subsidy help? http://www.psppd.org.za/MediaLib/Downloads/Home/ResearchEvidence/The%20challenges%20that%20young%20South%20Africans%20face.pdf. (accessed May 4, 2015)

Ritzen, J,. W. Easterly and M. Woolcock. 2000. On ‘good’ politicians and ‘bad’ policies: Social cohesion, institutions and growth. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 2448. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWBIGOVANTCOR/Resources/wps2448.pdf. (accessed May 12, 2015)

South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. 2012. Youth unemployment: Finding solutions. Briefing Paper 289. Cape Town: Parliamentary Liaison Office.

Schulz-Herzenberg, C. 2014. Voter participation in the South African elections of 2014. Policy brief 61, August 2014. http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief61_Aug14.pdf. (accessed June 1, 2015)

Scott, D., M. Vawda, S. Swartz and A. Bhana. 2012. Punching below their weight: Young South Africans’ recent voting patterns. HSRC Review 10(3): 19–2.1

Statistics South Africa. 2012 Census 2011. Statistics South Africa.

Statistics South Africa. 2013. Quarterly Labour Force Survey: Quarter 1. Statistics South Africa.

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA). 2014. South Africa labour market: Youth Q1: 2008 to Q1: 2014. http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/publications/P02114.2/P02114.22014.pdf. (accessed May 21, 2015)

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA). 2015. National and provincial labour market: Youth Q1: 2008 to Q1: 2015. http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P02114.2/P02114.22015.pdf. (accessed May 21, 2015)

Tamukamoyo, H. 2013. Improving governance is key to ending violent protests in South Africa, 4 March 2013. Institute for Security Studies http://www.issafrica.org/iss-today/improving-governance-is-key-to-ending-violent-protests-in-south-africa. (accessed June 8, 2015)

Tracey, L. 2013. What can be expected from young voters in South Africa's 2014 elections? ISS http://www.issafrica.org/iss-today/what-can-be-expected-from-young-voters-in-south-africas-2014-elections. (accessed May 18, 2015)

United Nations, Education for all: Overview. http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/efa/. (accessed July 15, 2016)

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). 2010. Combating Poverty and Inequality: Structural Change, Social Policy and Politics. Geneva: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

Woolley. F. 1998. Social cohesion and voluntary activity: Making connections. Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS), Conference: The State of Living Standards and the Quality of Life, October 30–31. 1998. http://www.csls.ca/events/oct98/wool.pdf. (accessed May 12, 2015)

World Economic Forum. 2014. Global Risks 2014 Report. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalRisks_Report_2014.pdf. (accessed May 21, 2015)

Downloads

Published

2017-10-26

How to Cite

Ngcaweni, Busani. 2016. “Understanding Youth Unemployment and Social Inclusion in South Africa”. Africanus: Journal of Development Studies 46 (2):1-28. https://doi.org/10.25159/0304-615X/1502.

Issue

Section

Articles
Received 2016-09-09
Accepted 2016-09-10
Published 2017-10-26