Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has told Members of Parliament (MPs) that the scenes of hundreds of young people that were seen queuing to apply for military posts in Thohoyandou is a wake-up call that urgent action is needed to create job opportunities.
Speaking during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday, Ramathuba said the surge in applications for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Military Skills Development System (MSDS) highlights the urgent need to change the status quo.
Just a day after the SANDF opened applications for its 2027 MSDS intake, hundreds of young South Africans flocked to Thohoyandou Stadium to submit CVs and application forms for the two-year programme.
The SANDF officially opened applications on February 16, 2026.
The process will close on March 27, 2026.
The MSDS allows young South Africans to join the military on a two-year contract.
In the first year, recruits complete basic military training, followed by specialist training in their chosen service branch – the SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy or SA Military Health Service.
The rush of applicants comes amid a deepening youth employment crisis.
According to Statistics South Africa, youth unemployment stands at 43.8%, with millions of young people struggling to find stable work.
Ramathuba, an ANC member, said the scenes in Thohoyandou should serve as a reminder to public servants.
“While we are registering progress, we are not satisfied with the pace.”
“The current situation, where we have seen many youths from all over the country queuing at the SANDF site in Thohoyandou to submit their CVs, is a wake-up call to those of us honoured with responsibilities to change the status quo,” she said.
The debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address began on Tuesday and continues, with the president expected to reply on Thursday at 2pm.
Despite the challenges, Ramathuba said the country was witnessing a positive economic outlook.
“Let us stand resolute in the confidence that progress in South Africa is not temporary,” she said.
She pointed to Limpopo as evidence that “real and lasting progress is possible”, despite scepticism.
According to the latest Income and Expenditure Survey, poverty in Limpopo has declined from 66% to 47.6% – the largest reduction nationally.
She also cited the 2025 fourth-quarter Labour Force Survey, which showed Limpopo’s unemployment rate falling to 28.2%, after declining from 35% to 29.8% in the third quarter of 2025.
However, she acknowledged that nearly half of the province’s residents still live in poverty and face unemployment, making accelerated inclusive growth and job creation an urgent priority.
“Where there is increased economic activity, there is development. Where there is development, jobs are created and communities flourish,” she said.
Ramathuba added that Limpopo’s contribution to gross domestic product had risen from 6.9% to 7.8% – an increase of 0.9 percentage points – which she described as a turning point.
“This growth demonstrates tangible economic activity transforming the lives of our people.”
“We are shifting towards becoming an urbanised rural region, where development is felt in the most distant villages,” she said.
She said the progress was the result of deliberate planning and action, with the province aiming to reduce unemployment to below 20% by 2030.
IOL Politics
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
