Dreams deferred: South African graduates speak out on their job search struggles

IOL News

a day ago

Youth unemployment in South Africa has reached a staggering 56.3%.
Image: Olia Danilevich / Pexels
In a nation where dreams of a brighter future clash with harsh economic realities, South African graduates are finding themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of joblessness.
With youth unemployment soaring to a staggering 56.3%, these ambitious individuals share their heart-wrenching stories of resilience and frustration in a job market that seems to have no room for them.
In South Africa, youth unemployment has reached crisis levels, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who was speaking at the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator engagement on Friday.
'The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey data delivered its bleakest message: that the expanded youth unemployment among young people aged 18–34 years has, in the first quarter of 2025, reached one of its highest points ever: at 56.3%,' said Mashatile.
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This is a continuation of the downward spiral trend that began in 2015 and was only interrupted by an even steeper fall during the Covid-19 pandemic, added the deputy president.
'Most of you gathered here today know all too well what it means to be without work, locked out of the economy, and unable to earn an income. It is disheartening; it is discouraging, and it takes resilience and an enduring sense of hope to overcome. Most importantly, it requires support from family, government, the private sector, and other stakeholders,' he said.
Thabile Dladla, 25, who graduated with an LLB in 2022, said she searched for a job in her field for two years.
Dladla said when she graduated, it was a moment filled with pride, ambition, and the belief that her formal entry into the legal profession was just around the corner.
She noted, however, that the corner was much further away than she had expected.
'For two full years, I searched for meaningful legal work. I submitted countless applications, revised my CV again and again, and wrote hundreds of tailored cover letters. Most were met with silence. A few brought rejection,' said Dladla.
Dladla said she then realised that the legal job market is not just competitive, but also oversaturated and often unforgiving, especially for graduates without prior practical experience or industry connections.
She said during this period, the weight of uncertainty was heavy, and she questioned her capabilities.
'I wondered whether all the late nights, library hours, and courtroom dreams had been in vain. Opportunities to gain experience were scarce, and unpaid internships weren't an option for someone trying to survive without external financial support,' said Dladla.
In 2025, two years after graduating, Dladla said she reached a turning point when she was offered a legal internship at the Public Servants Association (PSA).
'I was no longer sitting on the sidelines of the legal field but stepping into it.'
An unemployed 27-year-old medical doctor from KwaZulu-Natal, who requested not to be named, said after studying for so many years and completing her community service last December, she is still struggling to find a job.
She said that while available positions have been released by other provinces, nothing has been posted in KZN.
These available posts do cater for doctors who have just completed community service; however, there is a tendency for these provinces to prioritise their graduates, which is fair, she said.
She further explained that for higher posts like registrars, for doctors to train further, prospective candidates require more experience as well as certain exams that they must write.
'For a doctor post community service, this is not always easy because maybe you were in a non-teaching hospital, and there are some exams that you will not be able to write because you were not in an institution that allows for that,' she said.
She stated that her journey has been very challenging. Despite dedicating significant time and effort to her medical education and ultimately qualifying as a doctor, she is now left unemployed.
'For many of South African youth… we were never actually told that studying alone is not enough. That's one thing that's resonated with me a lot, that being smart or studying alone is not enough. Look at what that got us, doctors. We're qualified, we're doctors. We have studied, but we're still home,' she said.
Justin Moloi, 26, who graduated in April 2024 with a Degree in Electrical Engineering from Vaal University of Technology, said he is unemployed and actively trying to find a job in his field, but the process has been very difficult.
'Most jobs require experience, and even internships are limited. I've applied to many positions and attended a few interviews, but I rarely receive feedback or follow-ups. It's disheartening and discouraging at times,' he said.
Financially, Moloi said he is struggling without an income and forced to rely on family support.
'Personally, it's been emotionally exhausting, dealing with rejection, waiting endlessly for responses, and feeling like my efforts are not being recognised,' he said.
Moloi said it is disappointing and frustrating in light of the fact that he has sacrificed time, money, and energy for his education.
He said while he remains hopeful, 'it hurts' to still be struggling to find a job.
'Graduates need more than just job ads. We need real entry-level opportunities, mentorship, and mental health support. Many of us are willing and capable; we just need a chance,' said Moloi.
He said his dream job is to work as an Electrical Technician or Engineer, ideally in a company that focuses on healthcare technology or renewable energy.
DUT journalism graduate Amanda Mbambo dreams of being a sports journalist but she is struggling to find a job without experience.
Image: Supplied
Durban University of Technology (DUT) graduate Amanda Mbambo, 22, who graduated in May with a degree in journalism, said finding a job as a recent graduate is very challenging.
'Many of the companies demand years of working experience, which I don't have. Some even go about asking if we own cars, should we be hired,' she said.
Mbambo said that while she does not struggle financially because her family is able to take care of her, she is struggling mentally.
'Not finding a job after struggling so much in school depresses me. I do want to help around the house as well, but I feel my life is stuck,' she said.
Despite applying daily for jobs in her field, Mbambo also seeks opportunities in other sectors.
'My dream job is to be a sports journalist. I like sports, particularly soccer,' she said.
Mbambo urged institutions to play a vital role in helping students secure employment. This could be achieved by students providing their portfolios, which lecturers could then share with potential employers, a practice that would prove highly beneficial.
DUT journalism graduate Sikhumbule-Messiah Zwane dreams of becoming an investigative journalist but he is struggling to find a job in his field.
Image: Supplied
Another recent DUT journalism graduate, Sikhumbule-Messiah Zwane, said that coming from an underprivileged background, he is struggling to find a job.
'I come from a small town called Mtubatuba, so as I was looking for a job this time in Durban, it was hard for me, travelling to Durban for interviews. Due to financial struggles, I had to move to Durban to one of my friends' places to stay with him while looking for a job,' he said.
He said the irony of every job application requiring 2-3 years of experience when he has just graduated is 'heartbreaking'.
'We invest years in higher education, only to be told we are not qualified because we lack experience… The expectations are unrealistic, and they're demotivating. Even entry-level jobs often require a car, which is an additional burden for me,' said Zwane.
He called on employers to reconsider their hiring practices and give new graduates a chance to grow and learn.
Zwane said he is currently doing a Public Relations and Communications internship with no guarantee of employment upon completion.
He aspires to be an investigative journalist and hopes that the skills acquired from this internship will open up more doors. Zwane added that as fresh graduates, 'we face a lot of rejections; it's hard to not take it personally when you are pouring your heart and soul into job applications, only to be met with silence or rejection'.
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The youth of 2025 are facing several challenges
Image: File