Paul Mashatile meets Khayelitsha youth at roundtable

President Cyril Ramaphosa meets Khayelitsha youth today for pre-SONA consultations before Thursday's major national address.

The roundtable runs from 13h00 to 15h30 on Tuesday

• The National Youth Development Agency hosts at the Thusong Service Centre.
• Attendees can directly address the President and National Executive members.
• Ramaphosa chose the township to spotlight areas hit hardest by inequality.

Khayelitsha's youth unemployment exceeds 50 percent locally

• Over 400,000 people live in one of Cape Town's largest townships.
• Gang violence and service failures make daily existence frightening for families.
• Many drop out of school to earn income or support households.

South Africa has over 7 million young people outside of employment

• The national unemployment rate for those under 35 hovers around 45 percent.
• Previous speeches promised expansions of the National Youth Service program.
• Delivery on job creation has disappointed, leaving citizens disillusioned about commitments.

Ramaphosa consulted business owners and labour groups in recent weeks

• These pre-SONA sessions inform his address scheduled for 12 February 2026.
• The government of national unity shifts focus toward inclusive economic growth.

Residents hope discussions translate into funded training hubs

• Past visits yielded pledges on apprenticeships and mental health resources.
• Community leaders demand tangible follow-through rather than repeated empty rhetoric.