Middelburg — Steve Tshwete Community Youth Empowerment, a non-profit organisation, held a community meeting on 19 November 2025 at the Extension 5 taxi rank to address the rising unemployment crisis and announce support initiatives for vulnerable households.
The organisation plans to continue assisting disadvantaged families with food hampers during the festive season and helping unemployed community members access job opportunities.
Deputy chairperson Jabulani Matlala said their mission is to tackle poverty and unemployment, two of the municipality’s most pressing challenges. He emphasised that local businesses should prioritise hiring Steve Tshwete residents before bringing in workers from outside the area.
“When we first started, we were helping anyone, even people from outside the municipality,” said Matlala. “But we later realised that outsiders were benefitting more than our own residents. That is why we decided to focus on locals and created a WhatsApp group for community members who attend our meetings and want to stay active and informed about opportunities.”
According to Matlala, more than 50 residents have already secured employment through the organisation’s efforts. The organisation also collaborates with local businesses to collect food hampers for families in need. He urged the municipality and major industries, especially local mines, to work with them in creating job opportunities for locals.
His message to young people battling with unemployment is clear: “Get out of your comfort zone, keep applying and further your studies. Don’t give up.”
Mandla Mbuyane (45) from Extension 8 said he joined the organisation hoping to find work in any general labour position. Experienced as a front loader operator, he has been unemployed for a year and is struggling to support his family. He appealed to the municipality and local businesses to create opportunities suitable for older, unskilled or semi-skilled workers, adding that age limits and qualification requirements often exclude people like him.
Nkululeko Mkhwatjwa (22) from Extension 4 hopes the organisation will help him secure work as a security officer. He said he has been applying for months without success and believes local hiring processes should be fair and transparent. “We know that in the public sector it’s often about who you know, they hire [their] friends and family. We want to be prioritised too,” he said.
