Factors that contribute to youth unemployment in Vhembe District: A case study of Makhado Local Municipality

Abstract

This study investigated the factors that contribute to youth unemployment in Vhembe District, Makhado Local Municipality. Unemployment which is a worldwide issue is one of the toughest challenges which the South African government is facing today. Unemployment may be seen as the consequence of practical choice rather than as something that just arrived as a result of specific circumstances into which science may be given insight". Unemployment is a significant event. In sociological and psychological research, the experience of unemployment is usually described in terms of consequences for the individual. Numerous studies report a correlation between unemployment and such outcomes as deterioration in psychological well­ being, physical health and the economic situation

The study uses both quantitative and qualitative techniques for data collection and analysis. Quantitative techniques were mostly used in that they provide the researcher with an understanding of the factors that contributed to youth unemployment in Makhado Local Municipality. Purposive samplings were used for the selection of sample for the study. Both primary and secondary data were used for analysis in this study. Secondary data were obtained from government publications, research documents, and reports. Primary data were obtained through personal observation and questionnaires survey.

Major findings pertaining to the research conducted:

• The study found that 58 respondents constituting 73.4% of the total sample strongly agreed with the statement that high unemployment employers may discriminate against youths, possibly because of their personal and behavioral characteristics

• The study found that nearly 85 percent of the total sample thought that it was strongly agree with the statement that Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges facing South Africa

• The respondents indicated that the behaviour of their children were unacceptable as they lacked discipline, proper guidance and control. Parents did not have determination to discipline their children when they misbehave.

• Respondents also mentioned that they did not have the resources to provide for their children's health and nutritional needs, due to their unemployment.

Recommendations following the research are:

• Based on the fact that unemployment affects so many young people, it is recommended that the Youth Commission must market its services aggressively in communities and also link young unemployed people with relevant stakeholders like Makhado Youth Fund, so that they can be capacitated with various skills like entrepreneurship, life skills and parenting skills.

• It is recommended that this type of study must be conducted on a bigger population sample, in both rural and urban areas in order to generalize the findings regarding the influence of unemployment on parenting skills.

• Government and non-government organizations must initiate income generating projects. In this regard social workers should link unemployed parents with community development officers within the Department of Health and Social Development to involve them in such income generating projects.

• The Department of Public Works, as the leading department of the Expanded Public Work Programme which is a specific job creation and poverty alleviation programme of government, should primarily target the unemployed people in rural areas.