Hundreds of IFP members, including the party’s Youth Brigade, have started arriving at the Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi, south of Durban, for a Youth Day rally.

IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to address the rally.

Siblings Siyabonga and Busisiwe Ndlovu are among the young people at the event. They say they want the age for participation in Public Works programmes to be increased to above 35 due to the high unemployment rate in the country.

They say, “We want to study but there are some barriers because of our skin colour, because of our beliefs, because of our backgrounds and because our forefathers had a belief in uniting the nation, especially the blacks, to prosper. I think the government needs to change the age restriction to acquire a job from 35 to at least 40. Some of us are almost at the mark and we’ve never been formally employed, just a few odd jobs here and there.”

“I personally have the relevant qualifications, but have never been lucky to at least work as an intern in government. I always wonder how others get them or is it a matter of connections? I don’t intend to spend the rest of my life depending on social grants. I went to school because I desperately wanted to change the situation at home, but I’m stuck,” says Siyabonga Ndlovu.

VIDEO | IFP to host ‘Youth Day’ rally at MUT:

[HAPPENING NOW]
The Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi, Durban is hosting the IFP’s Youth Day Rally. Mlondi Radebe speaks to the party’s Youth Brigade Secretary Mlungisi Mabaso ahead of the event. pic.twitter.com/71O8GT35Vn

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 16, 2025