RISE Mzansi says new leadership can tackle youth unemployment

RISE Mzansi’s Palesa Mokholo says new leadership can bring change to address youth unemployment in South Africa. The country’s official youth unemployment rate rose to approximately 50%, including discouraged job seekers, in the second quarter of this year, according to data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). RISE Mzansi is calling for a transition to young, new leadership to tackle South Africa’s critical youth unemployment crisis. As the country prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections, the party is heavily prioritising generational representation. Speaking during the SABC 360 election debate, Mokholo has stressed the importance of voting for new leadership which understands the needs of young people. ON AIR | Rise Mzansi’s Palesa Mokholo says new leadership can bring change and address youth unemployment. Tune in to Elections 360 on the SABC News Channel, SABC+ and YouTube. https://t.co/43yP5IfphL — SABC News (@SABCNews) October 25, 2026 “Young people should be at the forefront of their voices and be able to tell us what their solutions are to their problems. Unemployment is sitting at 47 %, and 47.4 % of young people, which estimates around five million young people, are without jobs. As RISE Mzansi, we believe it starts locally.” “If we are able to have ethical leaders, that’s what we need. We do need new leaders in our communities. The old ones have failed us, even the DA. What I’m saying is that young people should support structures and rally behind RISE Mzansi because we are new and we are capable,” says Mokholo. Wrapping up the debate, RISE Mzansi Ward 2 Councillor Candidate Palesa Mokholo highlighted unemployment, particularly among young people, as a key issue requiring urgent attention. Through our commitment to building an inclusive, thriving local economy, RISE Mzansi is focused on creating opportunities for young people and building a future where everyone has a fair chance to succeed. #RISEMzansi #LGE2026 #WeNeedNewLeaders #VoteRISEMzansi @PalesaMokholo — RISE Mzansi (@Rise_Mzansi) October 25, 2026