Deputy President Paul Mashatile says entrepreneurship is the key to a better future, on the back of high unemployment numbers. Mashatile was delivering a keynote address at the national Youth Day commemoration in Potchefstroom in the North West province.

The Deputy President added that equipping young people with the skills necessary to become entrepreneurs is essential for the success of society.

[WATCH] Deputy President Mashatile says, “We acknowledge that for many young people, their reality remains unstable, undesirable, and unsustainable.” He’s giving the keynote address at the national Youth Day commemoration. pic.twitter.com/99kaelkxb4

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 16, 2025

“Today, we honour and pay tribute to the valiant and fearless young people who stood at the forefront of the liberation struggle on June 16, 1976. Regardless of their youthful stature, the youth of 1976 stood strong in the face of an oppressive system of the Apartheid regime. They faced death with unwavering determination fueled by a vision of equal rights and a more just society. As President Nelson Mandela recounted in his address on Youth Day on June 16, 1996, “When freedom beckoned, you faced death and bullets and did not flinch; you responded to the call to build the underground and the mass democratic movement; you swelled the ranks of the people’s army and acquitted yourselves with distinction on the battlefield.”

“In this regard, this year’s theme, ‘Skills for a Changing World—Embracing Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation,’ is more relevant to the noble cause for which the generation of 1976 and those who came before them were prepared to lay down their lives. It embodies the essence of what we aim to achieve together, a future where our youth are not just empowered, but actively engaged in shaping a better tomorrow.”

Mashatile acknowledges the loud cry of unemployment and says young people need to be encouraged to start their own businesses instead of waiting for employment.

“In this day and age, entrepreneurship is one of the keys to building a better future. Our National Development Plan Vision 2030, highlights the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurship in creating jobs and growing the economy. We must encourage our youth to trust and believe in their ability to start and grow their own businesses and we must give them the tools and support to do so.”

[WATCH] Deputy President Mashatile says the government offers various programs to support young entrepreneurs. pic.twitter.com/vypJehZZcU

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 16, 2025

VIDEO | SA commemorates Youth Day 2025 in Potchefstroom: