As many as 1-million youths could benefit from a paid internship programme devised by the state, unions and business. SA has grappled with a high unemployment rate, with its youth the worst affected. Political observers have described the situation as untenable and a ticking time bomb. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday the new youth employment programme developed by the government, labour and business would be rolled out in two years — instead of three — during which 1-million young people would be placed in paid internships to gain experience. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has described SA’s high youth unemployment rate as a national emergency. "As part of efforts to address youth unemployment, the initiative of empowering young people is about developing a programme that aims to place 1-million young people in paid internships in the private sector over the next three years. "I still want … this to be 1-million people within two years. We are … still negotiating...
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