Thought Leadership
FINANCIAL HEALTH IS ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE - AND SOUTH AFRICA CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE IT
Each year, South Africa’s Budget Speech sets out the nation’s fiscal priorities — how revenue will be raised, how debt will be managed, and where public resources will be allocated. It is, in effect, a blueprint for the country’s economic direction.
But behind every allocation and projection lies a more urgent question:
Are we building a financially healthy generation capable of sustaining the future that budget intends to create?
UNLOCKING YOUTH POTENTIAL: JA’S MINDSET DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis remains one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges of our time. While many interventions focus on providing skills and resources, the deeper, often underestimated barrier lies within: mindset.
Junior Achievement (JA) South Africa believes that unlocking a shift in mindset is central to addressing youth unemployment. All JA South Africa programmes are built on this belief, aiming to cultivate confidence, initiative, and a sense of possibility in young people. The Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Programme (EMDP) takes this commitment even further, offering a focused, research-based intervention designed to deepen and enhance the mindset shift already being nurtured through JA’s existing initiatives.
By Sara Bu
THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF EXPERIENTIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOL
In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, traditional classroom-based teaching is no longer sufficient. While it has served us for decades, this model falls short in preparing young people with the real-world skills they need to thrive in uncertain, fast-changing environments.
In South Africa, this gap is particularly stark. Youth unemployment remains alarmingly high—31.9% overall and 59.6% among 15–24-year-olds as of Q4 2024, among the highest rates in the world. This is not just an economic crisis; it is a skills crisis. Young people are entering the workforce ill-equipped for its demands, and our education system is struggling to bridge that divide.
IS FREEDOM REALLY FREEDOM IF WE AREN'T FINANCIALLY FREE?
Empowering the Next Generation through Financial Literacy: A Responsibility We Share
This Freedom month aligned to 27 April National Freedom Day. We put a spotlight on Financial Literacy.
This day commemorates the first democratic elections in 1994, symbolizing liberation and the promise of equal opportunities for all. As we reflect on the significance of Freedom Day, it is vital to recognize how financial education contributes to the broader ideals of freedom by equipping young people with the tools to achieve economic independence.