Published 2 days ago

Forbes Africa

Paula Slier

This collaborative initiative in South Africa has the government, NGOs and private sector joining hands to develop a national pipeline for youth employment and a new model for inclusive economic participation.

A quiet shift is taking place on the far eastern edges of Johannesburg in South Africa—not in lecture halls or startups, but on military bases, where discipline meets opportunity. At a base in Dunnottar, over 600 young South Africans recently completed a three-month training program that could mark the start of a very different future.

Spearheaded by the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) in partnership with the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, the program blends military-style structure with practical skills development. It’s part of a broader push to confront one of the country’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment—especially among the ‘Never Employed, Educated or Trained’ (NEET) generation.

For many of these young men, the program is their first structured entry point into adult life.

Several private companies have already stepped up to provide the next step. South African logistics services provider Buffalo International Logistics has committed to hiring between 5,000 and 10,000 graduates over the next five years, in areas ranging from courier services and mechanical work to e-commerce and entrepreneurship. A key partner in that engagement was the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust, whose behind-the-scenes role helped align private sector interest with public sector goals. Another 100,000 indirect opportunities are expected to follow, through retail training and support for small business development.

Young people on the program are prepared for specific roles, with real employers and measurable outcomes. By the time they leave, many already have placements lined up or a plan for what comes next.

“It’s rare to see this kind of focus,” says development economist Kwame Mbatha from the University of the Free State in South Africa. “There’s discipline, yes—but also structure, relevance, and buy-in from across sectors. You don’t often see government, NGOs, and the private sector working this closely together—and that’s why it’s working.”

The success of the program hinges on collaboration. Government supplies the infrastructure. NGOs assist with logistics, support, and follow-through. And the private sector opens the door to employment. The GAWMTrust, for example, has traditionally worked in conservation and community upliftment but is now contributing to job creation on a national scale.

“We’re aligning what already exists to create something that actually serves our youth,” says Raymond Kramer, director of the Trust and an honorary colonel.

“The SANSI, through the SANDF-led National Youth Service Initiative, empowers young South Africans with discipline, skills, and a spirit of service—building responsible citizens ready to contribute to national development and unity,” says Lieutenant General M. Sitshongaye, convenor of SANSI.

The Dunnottar pilot is already being used as a model. Site visits are planned in the North West Province to explore expansion, and organizers are aiming to roll out a national version of the program within two years.

In the meantime, recruitment and awareness efforts continue. A Youth Education Fun Day is planned for Mandela Day—July 18—in Alexandra Township. Over 600 young people are expected to attend. The day will include drill displays, mural painting, military outreach and clean-up campaigns—all with the aim of attracting more participants into the next intake.

“There’s a hunger here,” says Kramer. “Not just for jobs, but for structure—for meaning. This gives them a way forward.”

With youth unemployment still sitting above 40%, there’s growing urgency around solutions that can scale. This model, built on clear lines between training and work, is showing early signs that it can.