Gauteng:South Africa has urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States to enhance public employment services to better support jobseekers in accessing employment opportunities. The call was made by Jacky Molisane, the Acting Director-General of the Department of Employment and Labour, during the SADC Employment and Labour Sector Joint Tripartite Technical Committee Meeting held in Gauteng from October 26 to 30, 2026.
According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting convened representatives from SADC Member States, governments, employers and workers’ organizations, along with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to address employment challenges and bolster regional cooperation. Molisane emphasized the need for practical solutions aimed at improving public employment services and simplifying the process for jobseekers to access available opportunities.
Molisane highlighted the financial barriers faced by jobseekers, such as transport costs for interviews, internet data for job applications, and document printing expenses. She stressed that the discussions should focus on easing these burdens to make interactions with employment offices more productive and job searches less challenging.
South Africa's unemployment issues, with an official rate of 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026 and a 47.4% unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 34, underscored the necessity for effective employment programs. Molisane pointed out the importance of assessing the impact of these programs on individuals' lives beyond just their descriptions and objectives.
The Acting Director-General challenged the delegates to evaluate whether public employment services effectively lead to job placements, whether training aligns with available vacancies, and if employers continue to utilize these services for recruitment. Molisane underscored that success should be measured not just by the number of people assisted but by the quality of jobs secured and the support provided to jobseekers.
Moreover, Molisane advocated for employment services to support broader economic growth efforts and job creation. She stressed the need for young people to have access to relevant training and practical work experience to improve their employment prospects.
The meeting was seen as an opportunity for delegates to share insights, tackle common challenges, and agree on actionable measures for implementation in their countries. Molisane concluded by emphasizing the importance of commitment and accountability in following through on the agreed actions.