South African president Jacob Zuma has appealed to private sector businesses to create internship and apprenticeship opportunities for young people.

According to the South African Government News Service, Zuma said in a speech this week: “The economy is not growing as fast as we want it to and is not creating as many jobs as we need. As a result many of our graduates sit at home without jobs.

“We have to work together to provide opportunities for the youth, who are the future of our country. Government cannot perform this task alone. We thank all businesses that continue to employ young people and offer opportunities to them.”

He was speaking at the National Youth Day commemoration in Tshwane, where he also encouraged young people to become entrepreneurs.

South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation, in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) have ring-fenced 2.7bn rand (£0.14bn) over the next five years for young people to take up opportunities in business. 

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