SA sitting on time bomb unless firms absorb graduates

Business urged to open doors wide to job seekers

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

The government has warned that South Africa is "sitting on a ticking time bomb" unless the private sector opens its doors wider to graduates through expanded internship opportunities.

Speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina said graduate unemployment has become a national emergency threatening social and economic stability.

"We need every employer in the private sector, municipalities and state-owned enterprises to double their absorption of young graduates each year. The future of our country depends on it," Gina said.