Policy,
people
& the pulse.

"Who is really failing us in South Africa? Is it the system that is not creating enough jobs, or are we missing something as a society? What real actions do you think need to be taken to fix unemployment in this country?"

"We are not lazy. We are trying. There are just no opportunities. Unemployment in South Africa is painful."

"South Africa's youth unemployment rate sits above 60%. That is not a statistic; it is a generational injustice. The current economic path is not just slow; it is structurally hostile."

"A ticking time bomb. The government has no proper plan in place for unemployment in this country. The ANC has dismally failed the youth of South Africa."

"It really shows how scarce opportunities are in SA. People are often forced to stay in toxic or unfulfilling jobs for years because they can't afford to be unemployed. 30%+ unemployment is no joke."

"60% youth unemployment and you think they aren't going to hit the streets."

"We always talk about unemployment in SA; seeing people throwing their CVs in a bakkie with a hope of getting employment is really making me wanna cry. It's sad and heartbreaking."

"The amount of young people roaming the township streets is alarming. All those people are unemployed, from Mpumalanga to North West, Musina to Cape Town. If those people remain unemployed, how are they going to survive for the rest of their lives?"

"Unemployment in SA is caused by the uncompetitive and racially skewed economic structure and financialisation. SA started to de-industrialise during the late 1980s fearing nationalisation and battling to re-industrialise. Black industrialists must be prioritised for solutions."

"South Africans are unemployed bro. People out there are genuinely struggling. The thing about corruption; it affects thousands of South Africans while you're living your lavish lifestyle. It's inhumane guys."

"This generation is trying and still can't find work, purpose or stability. The weight is real. Unemployment, addiction, anxiety. We need more support, structure and opportunity."

"Let's be honest: 'just get a job' is advice people give when they've never had to fight for one in this market. Others are sending out hundreds of applications into silence. No replies, no feedback; just digital rejection. And then society calls that laziness."

"Because of high unemployment, a lot of young men are suffering in silence; many resort to drugs and alcohol, some commit suicide."

"Actor Siv Ngesi reflects on his long career, the importance of resilience, and the need for healthier masculinity and mentorship for South African boys; emphasising the need for urgent discussions on men's mental health."

"South Africa's suicide rate ranks third highest on the African continent. Until stigma towards mental health, asking for help and being vulnerable for men continues to rise, this awful reality will plague us."

"Did you know that in South Africa men are 3 times more likely to commit suicide? This is how toxic masculinity can affect all of us. We teach boys not to cry and that it's weak..."

"Higher Health in collaboration with the University of Mpumalanga, Families South Africa (FAMSA) and Masikhulumeni Madoda recently hosted a Men's Indaba Dialogue Session focused on the struggles boys face when transitioning into manhood."

"Daily affirmations on the rise in South Africa; mental health struggles spark a shift toward positivity."

"There is a South African guy on Facebook very open about his mental health struggles; he posts amazing resources, motivations and encouragement; and yep you guessed it; other men in his comments making fun of him."

"South African men's mental health is a life-and-death issue."

"Much of what we call resilience is actually endurance under pressure rather than healthy coping. Accessible; community-based support matters more than ever in South Africa."

"South African men are either deadbeat fathers or beat up their women. South Africa is among the top five African countries with staggeringly high rape and domestic violence cases."

"The Human Sciences Research Council has released findings of the first ever GBV report. We are in trouble; as women in this country. South African men need to prioritise their mental health."

"South African musician Loufi shared his struggle with drugs and mental health to create a Safe Space; encouraging other men to seek help and prioritise their mental well-being."

"The South African Society of Psychiatrists is calling for urgent interventions to address mental health problems facing men. The group says this has exacerbated gender-based violence; as the country marks 16 Days of Activism against Women and Child Abuse."

"Men think they're using patriarchy against women; but at the end of the day it has destroyed so many men. It has made men not hold their fellow men accountable for their actions."

"Men are conditioned to hide weakness; fear; and sadness; which can lead to isolation and severe mental health struggles."

"I just need Batswana and South African women to be soft. We could solve a lot of men's mental health problems."

"The South African Depression and Anxiety Group reports that there are 23 recorded suicides daily in the country; with men being four times more likely to die by suicide than women. This disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems for men."

"I think that starts with being honest. Not dehumanising; but being very honest about how our behaviour is more harmful than it is protective. We all have trauma responses; and they're all valid; but we can't let those trap us. Confront them. And transparently."

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy; so many lives destroyed in an instant. It highlights the urgent need for stronger mental health support; accessible counselling for couples; and stricter measures to prevent gun violence. Communities and authorities need to work together to identify warning signs before it's too late."

"They don't want mental health support; they want submission by any means necessary. Let's stop acting like the majority of Black South African men WANT help. They call those who seek help 'simps'."

"The majority of Black South African men don't want emotional intelligence workshops; mental health workshops etc. They hear 'no' and get emotional; respond with violence; and blame women for their own poor emotional regulation process."

"In South Africa, when we look at suicide: men are sitting at 75% while women are sitting at 25%. When we look at homicide, men are sitting at 87% and women are sitting at 13%. Men get killed more than women do, men kill themselves more than women do. Who is killing the men?"

"About 80% of all suicide deaths are men. In other words, roughly 4 out of every 5 people who die by suicide in South Africa are male. Let's seek the help we need gents. Talk to someone, anyone."

"It's crazy how men account for 80% of suicides in South Africa; more spotlight is needed on June being dedicated to Men's Mental Health."

"Suicide rates are often used to show how serious mental health challenges are in a country. In 2019, the WHO reported that South Africa was among the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates globally, with 23.5 suicides per 100,000 people. South Africa was ranked third highest in Africa; recording 13,774 suicide deaths, the majority of which were men: 10,861 compared to 2,913 women."

"Bro to bro: This is men's mental health month. 1,400 men die daily from suicide. Make it a habit to check up on your fellow man."

"South Africans are killing themselves because of the cost of living and the unemployment rates. Why is Kganyago the minister again?"

"Ever tried calling the suicide helpline in South Africa? You'll even change your mind as they make you wait or tell you how you must be fine. That's how I healed from suicidal thoughts."

"A mental health expert warns that many South African men delay seeking help until crisis point. Here's why early support and open conversations matter."

"Please don't harm yourself. Depression can feel unbearable, but you don't have to face it alone. Your life matters. If you're in South Africa and need help, please call the Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567."

"I heard a loud slap about an hour ago and screams, thought it was factory noises again. Was preparing for work, looked out the window and someone had died by suicide. What a view after another decline. Just crying from this."

"The family of 23-year-old Thabang Mokonyane is seeking help to bring his remains back to South Africa from Zimbabwe, where he was found on New Year's Day. The family have many unanswered questions about his death and are struggling to cover the costs of repatriation."

"Our suspicion index as South Africans is particularly low. Has anyone wondered how we have failed to mobilise against GBV, corruption, child abuse, poverty and period poverty amongst many other issues; but overnight we are busy running the streets looking to rid our country of foreigners?"

"The fact that there are men available to march during working hours highlights the seriousness of the unemployment crisis. We need jobs."

"When Zimbabwe hit rock bottom in 2008, it wasn't Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique or Malawi that opened their gates. It was us; South Africans. We let them live amongst our people and integrate. They came here with no place to sleep, but we let them crash in our homes."

"South African politicians forget that they are OUR employees! They work for US! WE pay them! Why the hell are they always siding with foreigners? Our tax pays their salaries; they seem to have forgotten their places."

"South Africa is a developing country struggling with its own citizens due to corruption and wasteful expenditure by politicians; so we are not fit to have undocumented immigrants also committing crime. No country will allow that."

"Middle class yona can be so tone deaf on the issues experienced by the majority of South Africans. Their thinking frustrates me because they've never had to deal with the issues that many SAns face."

"South Africa is importing poverty from Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Nigeria, Congo..."

"African leaders are avoiding the core issue on illegal immigration in SA because confronting it means confronting their own governance failures and complicity."

"The government wasn't going to do anything about the illegal immigration if it wasn't for March and March. I don't think y'all realise how crazy that is."

"If people march peacefully today and see no results; will they march peacefully again?"

"This country cannot operate without immigrants. It's going to be a rude awakening when the 'March n March' mob sober up; and realise that."

"People speak from a position of privilege; if you are not marginalised, disadvantaged, poor, sharing public resources with illegal immigrants; you will not understand the plight of people in townships and informal settlements. Two things can be true."

"After all the foreigners are gone; can we March to chase all the pensioners away from Parliament?"

"A Malawian illegal foreigner says that other Africans tell each other South Africa's laws are lax, which is why most of them come here; they get to do whatever they want. He says he's been caught at the border many times; yet he's still a free man."

"I can promise you, I would not get free access to health care anywhere in Africa as a foreign national residing there illegally. The fact that this happens in SA is crazy bandla."

"I am embarrassed to be a Zulu person. I'm embarrassed that Zulu people are leading March and March. If you're proud of what has been happening, please note that there is a special place in hell for this afrophobia."

"We should march consistently until it hurts their pockets; that's when we are going to see real change. We are tired; we've been quiet for far too long."

"I've covered many peaceful protests in Johannesburg and I can tell you today was not peaceful. Smashing windows as you march is not peaceful. You say the foreigners threw rocks first. In every street?? Who threw rocks from the closed businesses where windows were smashed?"

"June 30 is over, and it was a largely peaceful day, as expected by many. Still, much of the media and the government tried to paint this as the day that South Africa would descend into chaos, echoing the flames of the 2021 KZN riots."

"Today's march disappointed those who expected looting and chaos. Politicians are not bigger than the citizens of this country. South Africans are tired of high crime, unemployment and empty promises. People want real solutions and accountability."

"Some are hurt that March on March was peaceful."

"You can't be pro Palestine and support March and March. That's because you've been indoctrinated with the global left agenda. You've been conditioned to believe migrants are inherently innocent, hardworking, etc. You apply this logic everywhere without context."

"No political party can ever pull these numbers in this day and age."

"South Africans didn't even get to enjoy their so-called freedom in peace... the system was never in our favour. We were duped."

"The magistrate found the prosecutor in contempt and issued a warrant on the same day, without affording him the right to be heard. That is not justice. That is a performance of authority."

"The Kwaggafontein Magistrate's Court needs to be investigated. Last week, the prosecutor already indicated he would not be available, but the magistrates used his absence to free taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and Bafana Oupa Sindane."

"What an embarrassment to the criminal justice system! Or did the Prosecutor run for his life?"

"Why did the magistrate insist on hearing the matter today when the prosecutor wasn't available? Mkhwanazi warned us about members of the judiciary."

"Shame; that prosecutor is getting fired today..."

"What nonsense is this? Prosecutor must be charged with immediate effect and the matter must be reinstated! Finish en klaar!"

"This is turning into a textbook example of how not to run a high-profile case. What began with that chaotic scene; prosecutor missing, magistrate dispatching an orderly to hunt him down while the four accused sat in the dock..."

"You are quick to announce disciplinary action instead of protecting your employee against the magistrate. You were supposed to establish the facts first; confirm if the prosecutor had another matter scheduled."

"This looks like Mkhuseli has been a sacrificial lamb. This case was already compromised from the magistrate."

"Eleven thousand children die of malnutrition each year in South Africa. That's about a classroom full each day. Yet some in charge don't get it; or simply prefer to be seen as blessers in communities that hold them in high esteem."

"Young children in South Africa are more likely to live in poverty, suffer from food insecurity and malnutrition, and die before their fifth birthday than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic."

"Despite South Africa being a major food exporter into the 1980s, 50K Black children died from malnutrition annually. In the Bantustans, 30% of children died before the age of two. Up to 75% of Black children suffered from stunting."

"30% of Black children in South Africa are stunted due to malnutrition. Please explain who you believe caused this since the ANC runs school feeding schemes, grants and social development."

"Apartheid didn't just steal land and rights; it literally affected people's bodies. Research suggests Black South African men's average height stagnated for decades because of poverty, malnutrition, poor healthcare, forced removals and underfunded townships. That's how deep inequality goes."

"Drought is not just drying out land; it is deepening malnutrition among South Africa's most vulnerable children. A new study has revealed a worrying link between climate change and child hunger."

"The question of malnutrition is more closer to home than we think. Hunger is real in South Africa. We can do better."

"South Africa's silent malnutrition crisis: A call to action for the new administration."

"Haiboo I just saw a video on TikTok of a girl saying she went to the pharmacy for her contraceptive and they told her they're finished; the government is running low on stock. We're in trouble."

"Bafazi don't get pregnant; drinks are on me this December."

"We have a new issue Bafazi; there is a shortage of contraceptives and there are NO alternatives."

"I went to the doctor two weeks ago. The assistant came to the waiting room to announce that they're out of morning after pills. 90% of everyone there stood up and left."

"And this has been happening from last year around September/October. I went to my regular Dr to get mine and he was out of stock. Managed to get 2 packs from a pharmacy nearby. Struggled again 2 months later. I had to opt for the injection in April bc wow."

"contraceptives are out of stock??? in Winter?? they saw the birth rate drop and said NOPE"

"They did this with PrEP; a few years ago in December. Bear in mind that HIV transmissions and default cases rise during the festive season. PrEP was out of stock until mid January."

"Okay let's bust this myth. It's only the Nordette and Triphasil that are out of stock currently. Just two out of the many oral contraceptives. Other orals are still available. Other non-oral forms of contraception are also available."

"Wasn't there a decline in birthrate in South Africa; now contraceptives are finish or low in stock?!"

"Contraceptives running out of stock?? They're going to poke holes on condoms next. Ladies be careful please men don't like us."

"Child headed households are still a major reality in our communities that needs consistent attention to manage its impacts in our societies."

"I'm 17 & doing Matric. I stay alone with my 10 year old sister whom I have to be a parent to. Mama got married to another man & she moved to live with him earlier this year. Mama works but all the money goes to rent."

"Child headed households, are a really big problem. In Soweto alone there's over 2000 child-headed households. Some children as young as 10/12 looking after their siblings! Not playing house, actually living it."

"This country hates children and we stay proving that daily. There are child headed households in this country — what is the government doing to protect these children?"

"The last of the 21 victims from the Enyobeni tragedy was identified yesterday. It took so long because they come from a child headed home and the younger ones did not know where they were from."

"Child headed households. A reality that developed in SA because of AIDS back when ARVs weren't available in public clinics."

"HIV/AIDS left a lot of orphans and child-headed households. GBV is rivalling that."

"The generation of 14 year olds navigating adulthood because Thabo Mbeki's AIDS denialism created the largest number of child-headed households."

"We are living in fear that there'll be more child headed households as a result of the virus continuing to claim our parents' lives. In a country where 70% of the youth is unemployed, such a situation can only breed a CRISIS."

"The number of child headed households in the EC is really shocking. This is the most heartbreaking thing to see — children fend for themselves while they are supposed to live freely, develop, be loved, protected and taken care of."

"Over the next 5 years, we will tackle the high cost of living by taking steps to make everyday life more affordable for workers, unemployed persons, women & child-headed households by addressing key needs like food, housing, health, energy, transport & wages."

"The Erf 8448 project in Gugulethu is progressing steadily. The elderly, disabled and child headed households will be prioritised."

"They fail because they don't receive enough support at home. Some are in child-headed households and others are abused daily."