23 FEBRUARY 2026
💰THE DIGITAL ECONOMY💰
"S’Phanda Sonke Online – Asambe"
"Empowering Youth and Communities to THRIVE in this DIGITAL ERA!”
“I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” Tupac Shakur
🇿🇦 SONA 2026
What Does It Mean For The Youth
Awe Digital Revolutionary,
On 19 February, during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the government’s priorities, and a big part of that conversation focused on young people.
Here’s what actually matters for you.
1️⃣ Jobs: What’s Been Done & What’s Next
The Presidential Employment Stimulus has created 2.5 million opportunities, mostly for young people and women.
Programmes like the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Work Programme continue to offer short-term income options.
The SA Youth platform has connected millions of young people to work and learning opportunities.
The Youth Employment Service (YES) has placed over 200 000 young people into year-long work experiences.
This year, the government plans to:
Expand public employment programmes.
Make it easier for businesses to hire young people through YES.
Link short-term jobs more effectively to long-term career paths.
👉 Translation: More entry-level opportunities are coming, but the real challenge is turning those into lasting skills and income.
Combining education with workplace experience.
2️⃣ The Big Focus: Economic Growth = Youth Jobs
The government is pushing for inclusive growth, meaning the economy should grow in a way that brings in those who’ve been left out before.
Key sectors where youth stand to benefit include:
Digital economy
Green economy
Agriculture
Mining
Services (like tech and finance)
Tourism
There’s over R1 trillion committed to infrastructure investment over the next three years, covering energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure.
Why does this matter? Infrastructure means jobs. Digital infrastructure means data centres, better connectivity, and tech ecosystems. More than R50 billion will go into digital infrastructure alone.
If you’re into tech, coding, digital marketing, green skills, renewable energy, logistics, or finance this is your space.
3️⃣ Funding for Young Entrepreneurs
The government promises:
R2.5 billion to support over 180 000 small and medium businesses.
R1 billion in guarantees to unlock more funding.
A focus on youth and women led businesses.
Changes to the National Credit Act to improve access to affordable credit.
Licensing reforms to make starting and running a business easier.
Here’s a bold thought: if every small business hired just one extra person, we could create 3 million jobs.
Of course, getting funding and breaking into markets remain tough. But policy changes are on the way, and youth-owned businesses will get priority.
4️⃣ Education & Skills Revolution
Last year saw the highest matric pass rate in South Africa’s history, with many bachelor's passes coming from disadvantaged communities.
Now, the focus is on overhauling the skills system by:
Introducing a dual training model that combines education with workplace experience.
Reforming SETAs.
Strengthening TVET colleges as hubs for occupational and artisan skills.
Expanding universities and TVET colleges.
Tackling the student accommodation crisis.
Transforming the National Skills Fund to focus on real outcomes.
The message is clear: training should lead to jobs, not just certificates gathering dust.
Skills development
Work opportunities
Productive activity
Housing reforms are shifting focus from just building houses to helping people buy, build, or rent closer to economic hubs.
Transport and urban redesign efforts aim to lower living costs for working youth.
6️⃣ Digital Government Is Coming
The government is speeding up digital transformation:
Launching the Digital ID.
Digitising driver’s licences and matric certificates.
Offering online police statements.
Allowing remote SASSA eligibility checks.
Providing services through the MyMzansi platform.
Increasing bank branches that offer Smart ID and passport services.
This points to one thing: South Africa is slowly moving into a digital public infrastructure era. Young people will both use and build this system.
7️⃣ The Bigger Picture: National Dialogue & 2026
A National Dialogue will expand across schools, universities, and communities this year — feeding into a new national compact beyond 2030.
The call is for 2026 to be a year of transformative change, inspired by the spirit of 1956, 1976, and 1996.
But let’s be honest: unemployment remains stubbornly high. Many young people still struggle to find their first job. Local government failures and poor service delivery continue to be serious problems.
The goal is growth, inclusion, and opportunity.
How will this happen?
That’s the real question.
The Big Focus: Economic Growth = Youth Jobs
