PRETORIA, Gauteng — In a decisive move to address Gauteng youth unemployment and the critical skills gap, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube have officially launched the Gauteng Provincial Human Resource Development Council at UNISA in Pretoria.
Calling the launch a “landmark moment” in the province’s fight against youth unemployment and economic stagnation, Premier Lesufi emphasized that human capital is now the most critical factor in regional development.
“If you can’t get the skills right, we’ll not get the country right. If you can’t get the skills right, we’ll not get the economy right,” Lesufi stated during the address. He outlined that the province’s economic struggles stem from four core issues: slow growth, high unemployment, poverty, and inequality. However, he argued that the biggest binding constraint is no longer just capital or infrastructure, but a lack of relevant skills.
“You might have ambitions to eliminate unemployment, but when jobs are created and the skills are not there, unemployment will be permanent,” the Premier warned.
The newly established council, which Lesufi will personally chair, is designed to fix what he described as a history of fragmented human resource planning and a weak link between what the education system produces and what the labor market actually needs. Operating on a three-year mandate from 2026 to 2029, the body aims to ensure the province remains agile and creates jobs relevant to the modern economy.
Addressing concerns about funding and grassroots implementation, particularly for residents in townships, Lesufi clarified that the council is not a new multi-billion-rand investment. Instead, it will coordinate existing mandates and normal departmental budgets. He noted that universities already have a mandate to train, and businesses are required to contribute fees for SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) training.
“We are just doing coordination from our normal budget as a department,” Lesufi explained. “This is not a multi-billion investment. It’s a continuation of our day-to-day work, and we hopefully will reach as many people as possible.”
Despite the government’s assurances, unemployed youth in Pretoria remain deeply skeptical, expressing frustration over what they describe as a cycle of paper plans and empty promises.
“Empty promises, because it’s nothing but empty promises,” said one unemployed youth, noting the difficulty of finding work despite constant online searches. Young attendees voiced concerns that such initiatives historically benefit only a selected few within civil society. They demanded tangible accountability, urging leaders to ensure resources reach communities that are furthest from economic opportunities.
In response to potential overlap with existing frameworks, the Premier and participating stakeholders assured the public that the council will not duplicate national government efforts. Instead, it will introduce a “dual engine approach,” fostering one unified strategy and one tailored plan specifically designed to drive sustainable employment and skills development across Gauteng.
