For many young South Africans, employment is more than just a paycheck. It is dignity, stability and, in some cases, survival.
As we celebrate Labor Day, three voices, the employed, the unemployed and the hustle, highlight a system that offers hope, but not equally.
For Jalil Tshepo Samodian, employment has been nothing short of life-changing.
“Having a steady job has helped in more ways than I can imagine,” he says.
“I can support myself. My confidence has increased. I finally have a purpose.”
That sense of purpose is rooted in difficulty.
“Many times we didn’t even have food or a stable place to stay,” he says.
“Now I know exactly who I'm working for.” For them employment is not a comfort; This is security. “Being employed takes away all the stress and struggles,” he says. “I'm scared to go back to that life.”
Yet disappointment remains in his success.
“Young South Africans have the qualifications, but companies hire based on what they know,” he says.
Emphasizing the urgency of change he says firmly, “We deserve opportunities, especially the youth.”
While Jalil's story shows what is possible, Boipelo Chauke's experience highlights the instability faced by many people. Having lost her job when her contract expired, she describes unemployment as relentless.
“It's very tiring,” she says.
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“You still have to pay the bill every month, whether you're working or not.”
Waiting is equally difficult.
“You submit your CV and wait,” she explains.
“But in the meantime, what's going to happen?” That uncertainty defines her experience of the job market and shapes her daily decisions.
Even inside the workplace, safety is not guaranteed.
“No one gets a permanent position in IT,” she says.
“They say they're trying to change things, but roles are always temporary.” For Boipelo, contractual work often feels like a cycle.
She adds, “It creates something for now, but not for the future.”
He is also clear about what he has seen. “Sometimes they hire young people just for the sake of looks,” she says. “Permanent positions go to people who have been there for years, and it's also about who you know.” Their experience points to a system where visibility is mistaken for real opportunity.
For Sabelo Magagula, the system completely left him out. He faced years of setbacks along the way.
“I was lost and depressed at home,” he says. “I felt like a burden on my family. My mental health was at an all-time low.”
Now he is self-propelled, he works on cost.
“I have to constantly upgrade myself and update my equipment,” he explains.
“It comes out of my own pocket.” The pressure continues. “Sometimes I work for days without rest,” he adds.
“It takes a toll on your body and mind.”
Uncertainty is constant.
“Sometimes there are fewer customers and no money coming in,” he says. “That's when things get difficult.” Still, something keeps him going.
“You have to remind yourself to fulfill your purpose,” he says. “People trust the quality of my work. That gives me hope and inspiration.”
But his message to the leadership is clear. “Make funding and opportunities accessible,” he says. “Not everyone knows where to look or who to talk to.” He believes the gap is not just about jobs, but about access. “People at the grassroots level are deprived of real opportunities,” he added.
Beyond all three experiences, one truth emerges. Employment brings respect, but access is not equal. Contract work opens doors, but rarely keeps them open. Hustling creates freedom, but demands everything in return.
As South Africa celebrates Workers' Day, these stories transcend statistics and policy language. They reveal a generation that is often working, waiting, and moving at the same time. A generation that is demanding not concessions, but fairness, transparency and real inclusion and level playing field for all young South Africans today.
“We just want a fair chance,” their experiences collectively suggest.
Official comment from government departments and SETA representatives could not be obtained at the time of publication.