Livelihood strategies of unemployed youth: the case of Cradock, Eastern Cape
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Date
2021-06
Authors
Meyers-Mashamba, Geraldine Jocelyn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The development of youth depends severely on employment and the employability of the youth
(Mlatsheni & Leibbrandt, 2011). Youth unemployment as a phenomenon has become normalized
in developing countries such as South Africa, where unemployment, poverty and inequality were
identified as the main socio-economic issues that deter development and economic growth (Masipa
& Jideani, 2014). The magnitude of unemployment and poverty is due to historical events such as
apartheid, which has led to the prevalence of high levels of inequality and poverty (Rodney, 1973).
Livelihoods within rural parts of South Africa have long been a topic of interest (Francis, 2002;
Masunungure & Shackleton, 2017; Hajdu, Neves & Granlund, 2020). Livelihoods are effective
systems that consist of the assets, both material and social resources and strategies (activities) used
to make a living, which does not only emphasize income and consumption, but it also emphasises
the means through which a living is secured (Shen, 2009). The Eastern Cape Planning Commission
(2014) states that unemployment is worse in rural areas, where most of the province’s population
resides. This study postulates that rural unemployment is inherited through historical events like
apartheid. A long tradition of inquiry and development initiatives have failed in addressing the
historical legacies of apartheid, poverty and inequality (Hajdu et al., 2020). Towns like Cradock,
which has an apartheid spatial distribution, are feeling the combined effects of reduced economic
growth and increasing youth unemployment (Eastern Cape Planning Commission, 2014)
Description
Keywords
Dissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2021, Youth development -- Employment -- Employability