Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has called for a shift in the way African countries approach social protection, emphasising that it should be viewed as a productive investment that promotes employment, economic participation and long-term resilience.
Addressing delegates during the Ministerial Session of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE-6) in Windhoek, Namibia, the Deputy Minister said effective social protection systems must be linked to skills development, employment services and active labour market policies to unlock Africa’s demographic dividend.
She said South Africa has adopted an integrated approach, underpinned by a strong constitutional and legislative framework that protects fair labour practices, equality, decent wages, occupational health and safety, social security and skills development.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that South Africa combines income support with labour activation through programmes that provide skills training, employment services and workplace opportunities, particularly for young people, women and persons with disabilities. She added that public employment programmes continue to serve as important pathways into the labour market while supporting service delivery in communities.
She further underscored the importance of investing in future-oriented skills to prepare workers for a rapidly changing world of work. South Africa continues to prioritise skills development in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and the green economy through the National Skills Fund and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
Recognising that employment challenges require collective action, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed the importance of social dialogue and partnerships between government, organised labour, business, community organisations and international partners, including the African Union and the International Labour Organization, in implementing labour market interventions at national, provincial and local levels.
She acknowledged that high youth unemployment, the growth of the informal economy, technological advancements, climate change, labour migration and fiscal constraints remain among the key challenges confronting African labour markets.
To address these challenges, the Deputy Minister called for increased investment in future skills, stronger active labour market policies, the extension of social protection to workers in the informal economy, and enhanced regional cooperation to promote orderly, rights-based labour migration and decent work.
She concluded by reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to working with African Union Member States and social partners to build inclusive, resilient and sustainable labour markets that create opportunities for all, particularly the continent’s growing youth population.
