Qualified but Locked Out: Freedom Day and South Africa’s Youth Unemployment Crisis

Qualified but Locked Out: Freedom Day and South Africa’s Youth Unemployment Crisis

From Afternoon Drive with John Maytham by CapeTalk

April 27, 2026 · 8 min

About this episode

The episode discusses South Africa's youth unemployment crisis and the effectiveness of turning qualifications into job opportunities.

Africa Melane speaks to Prof. Linda Meyer, Managing Director at Rosebank College, about whether South Africa is doing enough to turn qualifications into opportunity, and whether youth unemployment is becoming one of freedom’s unfinished promises. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists.  A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”.  Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham  Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk   For more from the show go to…

People in this episode

Host: John Maytham

Guest: Prof. Linda Meyer

Topics covered

  • youth unemployment
  • South Africa
  • qualifications
  • freedom
  • opportunity

Keywords

  • youth unemployment
  • South Africa
  • qualifications
  • freedom day
  • opportunity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rosebank College

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