In the North West province, where the unemployment rate reaches 56.0% according to Statistics South Africa data, efforts are being made to reduce youth unemployment. The graduate placement program for employment for the 2026/28 period supported the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in this area.
Approximately 110 agricultural graduates were placed in agricultural enterprises and farms across the province. The goal of this initiative was to provide them with practical work experience and assistance in starting their professional careers.
According to the department's statement, over two consecutive years, this program has contributed to reducing the unemployment rate among these graduates, developing their skills, contributing to agriculture, and enhancing food security in the region.
Ontlametse Salvation Moile, one of the program beneficiaries who is an animal health trainee technician at the Mahikeng State Veterinary Office, noted that the program serves as a kind of building block between finishing studies and getting a job.
She expressed gratitude to the department for the opportunity to gain experience, learn more, and demonstrate her skills. According to her, the program allows participants to give back to society by sharing knowledge and advice that can help farmers improve their agricultural businesses.
Meanwhile, Malebo Mogopodi, a mentor, crop specialist farmer, and owner of Thuo Agribusiness in Phokeng, emphasized that young graduates are the future of the agricultural sector. She added that farmers are aging, and hope is placed on them to sustain the industry and address issues such as unemployment and food insecurity.
Madoda Sambata, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, advised graduates to start looking for alternative strategies while they acquire skills and knowledge within the program. He stressed that graduates should develop exit plans while continuing to participate in the program.
Furthermore, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (Casp) plays a key role in financing the agricultural department, helping to increase the chances of youth employment in agriculture and reduce youth unemployment. Sambata and departmental economists have developed plans to finance participating enterprises and ensure that participants have access to financial opportunities and business registration upon completion of the program.
The 110 graduates were trained by the Portcheffsraum College of Agriculture and the Tunga Agricultural College, demonstrating the significant contribution of these institutions to training technically qualified specialists in the sector.