MIDDELBURG — With unemployment continuing to challenge young people across South Africa, the Youth Development Department of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality took decisive action by hosting a vital Job Application Informative Session on June 12, 2025 at the Adelaide Tambo Community Hall. This event aimed to empower the youth with critical insights into navigating the often complex public sector job application process, providing a rare opportunity to engage directly with representatives from key government departments.
The session offered a platform for young job seekers to voice their frustrations, learn from experts, and gain clarity on how to improve their chances of securing employment in the public service, which remains a sought-after career path for many.
Representatives from prominent government institutions, including the Department of Social Development (covering nurses and social workers), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Traffic Department, and the Fire Services, were present to guide attendees through their specific application processes, job requirements, and career opportunities.
Among the young attendees was 24-year-old Nomzamo Dlala, who candidly addressed the challenges posed by age restrictions on job applications. She explained that many young people remain unemployed for extended periods, only to find that by the time they meet age requirements, they are disqualified from opportunities.
Dlala further highlighted the worrying issue of corruption within government hiring processes, noting that officials often demand bribes. “How are unemployed young people, with no income, expected to pay these bribes?” she asked.
Another attendee, Sibusiso Senamela, described the government job application process as “exhausting.” He noted that applicants must complete Z83 forms but are frequently told that their forms are incorrectly filled out. Despite this, there is a lack of official training or support programmes to assist applicants in correctly completing these forms, leaving many confused about what errors they have made or how to rectify them.
Assistant Director for Youth, Khanyisile Mlangeni, attended the event alongside stakeholders from the Department of Social Development, signalling the municipality’s commitment to supporting young people in their quest for meaningful employment.
