MBEKI BLAMED SKILLS SHORTAGE, CRITICS POINT TO DEEPER CAUSES
- BEE NEWS
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Xolile Mtembu | 5 April 2026
Former president Thabo Mbeki received significant backlash after his comments on South Africa's unemployment crisis this week.
During an interview with eNCA, Mbeki attributed the country's joblessness to shortcomings within the workforce, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters.
He ignited outrage when he told the broadcaster: "Why are millions of our people unemployed? The reason they are unemployable is because they don't have the skills that the modern economy and society need."
His remarks have been criticised as disconnected from reality, with detractors saying they ignore deeper structural challenges within the economy.
Lulaway, a project management leader specialising in youth employment, emphasised that the issue is far more complex.
"The root causes are complex, ranging from economic stagnation and poor governance to corruption, a lack of opportunities, and an ongoing skills mismatch between education and industry needs.
"This article explores the nature of youth unemployment in South Africa, its underlying causes, and strategies to move forward," said the organisation.
Talent development firm, Shaper further reinforced its analysis, highlighting the enduring structural inequalities shaping the labour market.
"The persistently high unemployment rate in South Africa is a multifaceted problem stemming from a complex interplay of historical, structural, and socio-economic factors.
"The legacy of apartheid continues to cast a long shadow over the South African labour market. The systemic inequalities created by decades of discriminatory policies have left a lasting impact, disproportionately affecting black South Africans," it said.
Political analyst Siya Ntombela previously told IOL that while Mbeki's remarks carry some truth, they may be misdirected.
"There is a mismatch between what our education offers and what employers need," he said. He went on to shift focus towards historical policy decisions, including those implemented during Mbeki’s tenure in office.
"We need to trace the problem back to the education policies and legislation passed by previous governments, including Thabo Mbeki's administration," he said.
Ntombela pointed to contentious reforms, such as the closure of vocational, teaching and nursing colleges, arguing that these decisions have had lasting consequences for the country's skills pipeline.
He was referring to the post-apartheid overhaul of vocational and technical education, initiated through White Paper 4 on Education and Training (1998).
The reforms sought to dismantle a fragmented system of technical colleges and replace it with a consolidated Further Education and Training (FET) framework aimed at aligning education more closely with labour market demands.
Enshrined in the Further Education and Training Act of 1998, these changes were implemented in the early 2000s, marking a significant shift in vocational education during Mbeki's presidency.
Ntombela also highlighted persistent systemic obstacles, including ongoing electricity disruptions, which continue to hinder practical training reliant on power, thereby deepening the divide between education and employability.
He further criticised the broader education system. "It taught teachers and learners to focus on the end assessment rather than holistic learning," he said.
Ntombela argued that opposition to raising academic standards has contributed to a cycle of inadequately prepared graduates.
"Meaning they wanted and continue to produce certificated unemployable but uneducated citizens who will not be critical of their wrongdoings.
"What will Thabo Mbeki do to ensure that young educated South Africans are employable?" he asked.
‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’.