In a bold move that has ignited conversations across South Africa, Fikile Mbalula, the Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC), has urged companies to eliminate job experience requirements. His comments came during a lively gathering in Madibeng, North West, where he spoke to a supportive crowd on January 8, 2025, coinciding with the ANC's 114th birthday celebrations.
What Did Mbalula Propose?
Mbalula called for a radical change in hiring practices, emphasizing that the current experience criteria often bars young job seekers from gaining employment. He suggested that if employers demand experience, applicants should
“refer them to me,”
indicating his willingness to support the youth in their pursuit of jobs.
His remarks were met with enthusiasm from attendees, particularly amidst alarming statistics revealing that as of May 2025, 46.1% of South Africans aged 15 to 34 were unemployed.
Previous Calls for Change
This isn't the first time Mbalula has criticized experience requirements. Back on January 7, 2026, he stated,
“This thing they use to block young people under the guise of experience needed must come to an end. Young people will gain experience at work.”
He continued to stress the necessity for inclusive job opportunities for all young individuals.
The Public's Reaction
However, his comments have not been universally embraced. Social media users voiced their skepticism, arguing that simply scrapping experience requirements is not a foolproof solution.
One user, @MenaceDisguised, questioned,
“Did this man go to school?”
while another, @Bronx_wrangler, asserted,
“Businesses work based on competency and skills. How stupid can one person be?”
Many others expressed that addressing youth unemployment requires a more robust approach, with calls for skill-building, apprenticeships, and structured pathways to employment.
@Gadfly342043 added:
“Populism in overdrive. Telling employers to drop experience isn’t reform; it’s theatre.”
Looking Ahead
As the country gears up for the national general elections in May 2024, Mbalula also pledged plans to create 2.5 million jobs, though many remain skeptical about the feasibility of this promise. The dialogue around employment continues to heat up, with Mbalula in the spotlight as young South Africans seek real solutions to their ongoing challenges.
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