By Thapelo Molefe
As South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) says the challenge facing the country today is ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
This was one of the key messages during a Youth Month webinar hosted by EWSETA in partnership with Inside Education on Thursday, where government, industry and youth development leaders reflected on the legacy of the youth of 1976 and the opportunities available to the youth of 2026.
Opening the discussion, EWSETA Board Chairperson Morwesi Ramonyai said Youth Month should also be used to reflect on whether South Africa is creating enough opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the economy.
“Are we creating enough opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully and gainfully in our economy and society?” she asked.
Ramonyai said the energy and water sectors remain central to economic development, infrastructure expansion and national resilience.
“The sectors are critical for our own economic growth, for Africa’s growth, for infrastructure development, for energy security, for water resilience. It’s really at the centre of that engine that keeps this economy going,” she said.
EWSETA Acting Chief Executive Officer Robyn Vilakazi said the sector is undergoing major structural change driven by the energy transition, water security challenges and rapid technological advancement.
“We’ve got the energy transition in the energy sector, the just energy transition in the water sector. In the water sector, we are facing significant water security challenges,” she said.
Vilakazi said these shifts require a workforce that is not only technically skilled, but also adaptable and future-focused as industries evolve.
“We are looking at not building a workforce that is only technically capable, but a workforce that is adaptable, that is future focused and future ready,” she said.
The webinar highlighted ongoing concerns about the gap between education outcomes and workplace readiness, with panellists stressing the need for stronger coordination between training systems and employers to improve youth employability.
Sherrie Donaldson of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator said young people continue to face barriers in accessing work opportunities, even when they are qualified.
“The transition from education to work is fragmented. It’s still hard to find a job even if you have education,” she said.
She added that employers increasingly expect not only technical competence, but also workplace readiness and practical experience.
“Employers want young people that are not just technically skilled. They want young people that are ready to work,” she said.
Donaldson also pointed to structural barriers affecting youth access to the labour market, including transport costs, data costs, lack of connectivity in some areas and limited access to professional networks.
“Most of us got first jobs because someone introduced us to someone who helped us get a job. Young people in the demographics of South Africa don’t have those social networks,” she said.
From an employer perspective, Rand Water Senior Manager for Talent Management Maureen Miles said technical skills remain essential in ensuring the effective functioning of water infrastructure systems.
“The TVETs offer excellent opportunities for young people, and in fact, that skill is much more marketable than a university degree,” she said.
Miles added that operational roles in the water sector require consistency and long-term commitment due to the nature of service delivery.
“We need that person to come to their plant. We need them to do the work that they do. We need them to operate the plant in a particular way on a continuous basis,” she said.
A key focus of the webinar was showcasing how skills development can translate into entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in addressing South Africa’s energy and water challenges.
Founder of Electrical Technologies, Mfanelo Ndlela, said access to structured skills development support played an important role in shaping his business journey.
“The skills that we actually realised were important when we started our company was focusing on utilities,” he said.
Ndlela said his company now develops technology solutions aimed at improving water and energy systems through real-time monitoring and data-driven innovation.
“What we do with this device, we can in real time monitor water quality, track volumetrics, track water flow, immediately report on leaks,” he said.
He added that entrepreneurship requires resilience and continuous learning, especially in technology-driven sectors.
“It’s been a journey of resilience, skills, articulation and making sure that we fail fast,” he said.
The webinar also explored broader international opportunities, including the role of BRICS in youth development, trade and skills exchange.
South African BRICS Youth Association CEO Raymond Matlala said young people must be better exposed to global opportunities in education, innovation and trade cooperation.
“There is a lot of opportunities, both educational and economic,” he said.
He pointed to potential collaboration in sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and agriculture across BRICS member states, which could expand opportunities for South African youth.
As the webinar concluded, panellists agreed that stronger partnerships between government, industry, training institutions and youth organisations are essential to improving employment outcomes and strengthening skills pipelines.
The discussion reinforced EWSETA’s message that youth development in the energy and water sectors must focus not only on training, but on building clear and practical pathways into work, entrepreneurship and long-term economic participation.
INSIDE EDUCATION
