Many obstacles stand in the way of young South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds with limited
social networks and skills to afford them opportunities in a shrinking labour market. There has been
upward social mobility of a “privileged” black minority into the middle and upper classes since 1994, but
this is not the experience of the black majority. The state needs to re-strategise its educational
interventions to ensure the quality of educational outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The need to create jobs cannot be overstressed. Opportunities that give rise to entrepreneurial skill
development also need to be made available. Because creating jobs is the main solution, the international
community could contribute through increased trade with South Africa. Donor countries could also
contribute by supporting programmes that provide out-of-school youth with a second chance to complete
their education, requesting a social cohesion component in educational programmes that receive financial
support, and ensuring impact evaluations of such programmes.