Ramaphosa missed opportunity to deal with youth unemployment, says Dr Iqbal Survé

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa's Wednesday meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House has drawn criticism for not adequately addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in South Africa, which affects a staggering 65% of young people.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

Dr Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media, holds a view that Ramaphosa missed a crucial chance to address the country’s serious problem of youth unemployment.

He was delivering a speech at the 2025 Future of Jobs Summit held at the DP World Wanderers in Melrose North, Johannesburg yesterday, where he spoke about how South Africa can create job opportunities for the youth and a thriving economy.

"If I was the president of South Africa, I would have sat in the Oval Office room last night (Wednesday) and I would have said 'President Trump we have 65% unemployment amongst the youth. Can you help the youth of South Africa to be able to help themselves as part of a technological programme, etcetera, etcetera,'" he said.

Ramaphosa's visit to the US was prompted by concerns raised by Trump about alleged violence targeting white South African farmers.

Trump had granted refugee status to 49 Afrikaner farmers, escalating tensions between the two nations.