With North West reaching an unemployment rate of 56.0% as per Statistics South Africa, efforts to curb jobless youth in the province are underway.
The Unemployment Graduate Placement Programme 2026/28 has assisted the department of agriculture and rural development in North West to reduce the unemployment rate in the province.
About 110 agricultural graduates were placed in agricultural facilities and farms across the province to help them gain practical work experience and kickstart their careers.
According to the department, for two consecutive years, the programme helped these graduates to reduce the unemployment rate, build skills, contribute to agriculture, and improve food security in the province.
Bridging the gap for young professionals
Ontlametse Salvation Moile, one of the programme beneficiaries who is an animal health technician intern at Mahikeng State Veterinary Office, said that the programme is like a building block between graduation and employment.
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“I would like to thank the department for giving us the opportunity to gain experience, learn more and showcase our skills. Most importantly, this programme allows us to give back to our communities by sharing knowledge and guidance that can help farmers improve their agricultural enterprises,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malebo Mogopodi, the mentor, crop farmer and owner of Thuo Agribusiness in Phokeng, said young graduates are the future of the agricultural industry.
“Our farmers are ageing, and we are looking up to you to help sustain the industry and address challenges such as unemployment and food insecurity,” Mogopodi said.
Funding and exit strategies for sustainable enterprise
Madoda Sambatha, the MEC of agriculture and rural development, advised graduates to start looking for alternative strategies while in the process of building their skills and knowledge in the programme.
“Graduates must begin working on their exit plans while still participating in the programme,” he said.
Furthermore, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme(Casp) plays a crucial role in funding the agricultural department to improve chances of getting the youth into agriculture and lowering the youth unemployment rate.
Sambatha and departmental economists created plans for funding participants’ businesses and for participants to be able to acquire funding opportunities and register their businesses at the end of the programme.
Potchefstroom College of Agriculture and Taung Agricultural College produced the 110 graduates, which shows major contributions in developing technically skilled agricultural professionals in the sector.
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