Wendy Dondolo
Nelson Mandela’s statement, “Education is the most potent tool you can employ to transform the world,” has motivated countless young South Africans to seek higher education as they aspire for a brighter future.
In a country where education has traditionally been lauded as the key to prosperity, South African graduates are now often confronted with uncertainty.
Even after years of effort and commitment, numerous individuals still face the stark truth of being unemployed, pondering if their qualifications genuinely unlock a better tomorrow.
With the job market growing increasingly competitive and crowded, the prospect of attaining higher education now seems like an elusive aspiration for numerous young people in South Africa.
Simply inquire of Alonde Zolo, whose heartfelt message shared on a widely circulated Facebook post has resonated with countless individuals.
She penned down, ‘I recall the vow I gave to my mother,’.
“I pledged to construct her a magnificent house upon my graduation, yet fate had different intentions. Regardless of my efforts and commitment, I continue to face challenges in securing employment.”
Zooloo, holding a Bachelor of Social Science in both Psychology and Sociology along with an Honours degree in Clinical Sociology, is not alone.
Many South African graduates face the stark truth: even after rigorously adhering to the traditional route of working hard, earning a degree, and aiming for a brighter tomorrow, finding a job continues to be unbearably difficult.
After graduating from CPUT in 2025 with an Advanced Diploma in ICT: Applications Development, Asive Sibeko anticipated that the world would become more accessible following her degree.
“I expected to secure a position and advance within a firm where I could gain more knowledge about IT. However, half a year following my internship, I remain unemployed,” she stated.
I manage to secure a few interviews, but they often lead to rejections. Even more disheartening, sometimes I hear nothing at all.
The burden of emotion is significant.
“When I reflect on it, it causes me stress,” Sibeko confessed.
I begin to ponder, what if it takes several years to secure employment, or worse, what if I never manage to find a job at all?
Nosipho Masondo, who graduated in Journalism from DUT in 2023, has remained jobless for almost two years now.
“I feel inadequate in front of my parents,” she stated.
I’m meant to take care of their finances. I considered opening a small fast-food stall, but I lack the funds.
The impact of extended periods without work on mental health is extensively recorded. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Reitumetse Mashego, numerous unemployed graduates face “persistent anxiety, depression, emotional challenges, as well as physical issues such as sleeping disorders and migraines.”
Joblessness adversely affects an individual’s sense of identity and self-esteem. This loss often results in a reduced feeling of purpose and occasionally drives people towards extreme measures, such as entering harmful relationships or adopting dangerous survival tactics.
Graduates aren’t just facing emotional despair, they’re trapped in a system that appears structurally flawed.
Justin Durandt, Managing Director of Key Recruitment, shed light on the market forces at play.
“The graduate market has become increasingly saturated,” he explained.
“Even for entry-level roles, employers are prioritising job readiness and experience. That’s why we shifted away from graduate hiring, our clients demand more.”
This transition highlights a paradox within South Africa’s education-to-employment pathway. Despite governmental initiatives emphasizing higher education as the key to success, reality paints a contrasting picture. Graduates find themselves in an awkward position: they possess qualifications yet remain disadvantaged due to their lack of practical experience.
Sibeko no longer subscribes to the notion that education ensures success.
“There are individuals holding master’s degrees who have remained without employment for half a decade,” she stated.
Similarly, many who lack formal education are thriving. Therefore, one cannot say that education is the crucial factor for success in this nation.
Dr Mashego states that both households and societies should increase their efforts.
She encouraged them to reassure graduates that they gave it their all,
“Aid them in discovering alternate revenue streams such as volunteering, part-time jobs, or skills-driven projects like gardening or car washing. Supporting their mental well-being is also crucial.”
For Masondo, who has thought about abandoning journalism simply to make ends meet, this experience has altered her viewpoint.
“She still maintains that education holds value,” she stated.
“However, younger individuals should also explore professions that offer greater employment prospects, even if they aren’t their top choice.”
As temperatures rise to thousands of degrees and inboxes overflow with rejection emails, a pressing query resounds more loudly than ever: In a nation facing skyrocketing youth unemployment and evolving industrial needs, does education remain the gateway to success, or merely present yet another closed door?
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