In the face of South Africa’s escalating youth unemployment crisis, a new generation of graduates is redefining what it means to survive and thrive in a broken system.

Tired of waiting for jobs that may never come, young South Africans are creating their own opportunities in the informal economy through side hustles, freelancing, and micro-enterprises.

For 25-year-old Asive Sibeko, the journey from IT graduate to food hustler was not part of the plan, but it was necessary.

“I wouldn’t say it’s something I’ve always wanted to do; it’s just something I did to survive in the long run,” said Sibeko, who holds both a diploma and an advanced diploma in ICT.

After her internship ended in late 2024, job applications yielded no success, pushing him to start a small food business in June 2024.

“I cook beef tripe and steamed bread; the response I’ve been getting from students has been quite positive.”

Sibeko’s story is far from unique. In communities across the country, qualified graduates are turning to hustle economies not by choice, but by circumstance.

“The system wasn’t built for the informal hustler”

That’s according to Masindi Evans, the founder of Mas-Skincare Solution and Masindi Shoe Laundry, who has used social media platforms to reach clients and grow his brand.

“Truth: We’re producing graduates with no income, while informal traders make money with no degree,” Evans wrote in a Facebook post.

“The system is rich, the people are poor, the system wasn’t built for the informal hustler, you have to bend it or go around it.”

He encourages youth to build community networks, teach each other, and use platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp to bypass gatekeeping and find customers directly.

Sisanda Madywathi, a young woman who recently started a home-based hair business, echoed similar frustrations.

“I saw that if I don’t sell anything, I’ll never get money. I feel time is running out for me and my family is looking up to me,” she said, highlighting the emotional burden many young people carry.

A growing number of graduates feel betrayed by the promise of education. While degrees open doors for some, many find that job specifications demand experience they simply don’t have.

“I feel like the education system did not prepare me for the real job market,” said Sibeko.

“Most companies do require a lot of experience from fresh graduates which is very unfair, that is like the biggest reason why many graduates can’t find work.”

This “experience trap” is compounded by a saturated job market.

Justin Durandt, Managing Director at Key Recruitment, says his company phased out its graduate division years ago.

“The graduate market has become increasingly saturated, and employers’ expectations have shifted, prioritising prior experience or job readiness, even for entry-level roles,” he said.

For many, the hustle is not just about survival, it’s also about maintaining a sense of dignity and mental stability. Clinical psychologist Dr Reitumetse Mashego urges young people to find healthier coping mechanisms in the face of unemployment.

“Finding healthier coping strategies such as exercise and seeking mental health intervention (there are free services), Getting involved in some community initiatives or volunteering to showcase what they can do,” she said.

Dr Mashego also advises families to offer more than just sympathy.

“Continually reassure them that they did the best that they could and support them in looking at other skills they can develop that can generate an income.”

What emerges through these stories is a common thread: resilience. Young people are no longer waiting for the system to rescue them; they are building their own.

Whether it’s selling skincare, food, hair services or second-hand clothes, South Africa’s youth are writing their own economic scripts. And while the system may be broken, they are proving daily that hustle is a language they speak fluently.

As Masindi Evans put it; “Yes, the system is unfair. But that’s why we create our own systems.”

IOL News

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