South Africa’s unemployment rate has surged to a staggering 33.2%. Behind this number lies an even more troubling reality, with the country’s youth continuing to bear the brunt of the crisis. With youth unemployment increasing by 39,000 to 4.9 million compared to the first quarter of this year, the barriers facing young people entering the workforce have never been more daunting.
For many young South Africans, securing their first job is more than a personal milestone, representing the key to economic independence and inclusion. However, for millions, this door remains firmly shut. More than 1.9 million people under 35 years of age have already given up searching for work, while almost 60% have no previous work experience. This creates a paradox, where jobs require experience, yet experience requires a job.
“While education offers some protection, the divide remains stark,” says Jennifer Barkhuizen, Head of Marketing at Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE). “Youth without matric qualifications face an unemployment rate above 51%, while those that have finished school fare marginally better at 47.6%. Tertiary training improves the odds; however, a graduate employment rate of 23.9% remains uncomfortably high in a country in need of skills.”
Despite the challenges, opportunities do exist. Growth in technology, renewable energy, logistics, healthcare and financial services is driving demand for young people who bring digital fluency, problem-solving ability and adaptability. For the millions of jobseekers, these sectors offer rare entry points into markets that otherwise feel out of reach. However, while these opportunities exist, employers face a different challenge – ensuring that qualifications are genuine.
The risk of misrepresented credentials
Employers eager to bring in fresh talent are increasingly confronted with the risk of misrepresented credentials. To this end, MIE’s 2024 Background Screening Index reveals that of the 652,133 qualification checks conducted, 6.59% contained discrepancies. As many as 7.82% of matric certificates and 8.28% of short course qualifications could not be verified, while international credentials proved even more problematic, with 11% failing verification.
“Fraudulent qualifications are easily purchased online and on social media, making it imperative for employers to verify educational qualifications. Tertiary qualification risk remains high, as many institutions do not maintain centralised records, often leading to delays in verification,” explains Barkhuizen.
Beyond education, employers must also weigh risks such as criminal records and financial integrity. Convictions for fraud, theft, or assault highlight the importance of thorough vetting to protect workplace trust and safety. At the same time, credit checks often uncover concerns such as defaults or debt review, raising red flags for potential roles in finance and logistics where reliability is non-negotiable.
“Screening is not about excluding people but about building trust between employer and employee. By verifying credentials, companies can hire with confidence while opening doors for those who are genuine, giving South Africa’s youth a real chance to step into the workforce and help shape a fairer, more transparent future,” concludes Barkhuizen.
