HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING IN AFRICA: THE UNEMPLOYMENT DILEMMA OF GRADUATES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

The study of the labour market and all its facets has changed significantly throughout time. Numerous studies claim that to comprehend the expanding complexity of labour markets, employment and unemployment indicators have fallen short. Graduate employability is a basic problem that goes beyond calculating destination statistics-based rates of job placement. It also has to do with graduates being more prepared and having employment that allows them to develop personally, positively impacting social growth and development. This study examines the postcolonial issues experienced by secondary school and university graduates in South Africa. A significant number of South African graduates are unemployed or underemployed after completing their education. Consequently, the country faces an increase in the number of unemployed and impoverished youth. This has been attributed to curricular system deficiencies in South Africa. This is a situation in which the school system steer graduates toward employment requiring high levels of unmarketable skills. This study traced this problem back to the colonial school system, which provided white minorities with scarce skills that enabled them to gain employment and move into high-paying positions, thus reducing poverty levels. Second, the labour market's lack of acceptance of school dropouts Thirdly, the lack of acceptability of graduates by society negates the purpose of schools. This research reveals that the African education system was modelled after the European school system, and as a result, the skills created are better suited for industrialized nations than developing nations. These are some of the variables that contribute to South Africa's high unemployment rate.