Navigating the Gap: Unpacking the Unemployment Experiences of Higher Education Youth Graduates in Collins Chabane Municipality in the Limpopo Province

Abstract

In the past few years, graduate unemployment has considerably increased in South Africa and around the world. The rising unemployment rates among unemployed youth graduates have impacted communities' quality of life. The main purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of higher education graduates in Collins Chabane Municipality, in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province. The study area for the proposed study was chosen to be a selected community in Collins Chabane municipality in Limpopo, which has a predominantly African population. The community was chosen because, like many communities in South Africa, it is struggling greatly with the unemployment of recent graduates. The researcher used a qualitative approach and a phenomenological case study research design to obtain an in-depth understanding of the research topic. The population is comprised of unemployed graduates between the ages of 21-35. A non-probability purposive and snowball sampling technique was utilized in the proposed study to select the participants. Semi-structured in-depth face-to-face individual interviews were used to collect data from the participants. The researcher intended to interview 15 participants, comprising both males and females; however, the sample size was determined by data saturation. A pre-test study was conducted to test the applicability of the research measures to ensure trustworthiness. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied to analyze data, and finally, ethical principles were maintained throughout the study. Recommendations were based on the findings of the study.