President Ramaphosa Engages Youth at Sefako Makgatho Primary During Employment Initiative Site Visit
President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently visiting Sefako Makgatho Primary School in Saulsville, Pretoria, as part of his ongoing efforts to engage directly with youth beneficiaries of two key government initiatives: the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES).
This visit, which forms part of a series of site visits scheduled for today, Tuesday, June 11, 2025, is aimed at showcasing innovative implementation models and public-private partnerships that are making real strides in tackling youth unemployment in South Africa.
Highlighting Impact and Innovation
During the visit, President Ramaphosa is meeting with young participants who have been placed in various roles within the school environment through the PYEI, gaining work experience, developing new skills, and contributing to the daily operations of the school. The programme has become a lifeline for many young South Africans who face limited job prospects in a challenging economic landscape.
“This initiative is about more than temporary jobs—it’s about giving young people a foothold into the world of work,” said Ramaphosa. “By placing them in real environments like our schools, we are opening doors to long-term opportunity.”
Public-Private Partnerships at Work
The visit also highlights the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in scaling employment and skilling initiatives. Through partnerships, the PYEI and PES programmes have expanded their reach, bringing meaningful work and training to thousands of young people across the country.
Officials from the Department of Basic Education, school management teams, and implementation partners were also present, providing insights into how these youth workers are contributing positively to educational outcomes and community development.
A Broader Vision for Youth Development
Today’s site visit is part of a broader government effort to address South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis, with President Ramaphosa championing structured, scalable interventions that offer young people not only income, but a pathway to sustainable employment. The PYEI alone has placed over 1 million youth in schools and other institutions since its inception, according to government figures.
With additional site visits planned for the day, Ramaphosa is expected to continue emphasizing the critical role youth play in building the country’s future, and how investment in skills development must remain a national priority.
