Graduates could struggle to find jobs

THE matric class of 2021 had it tough and did well to achieve a pass rate of just over 76%. However, their biggest challenge – finding a decent job – is yet to come.

Given the state of our economy, even those who get a university pass will struggle to find meaningful work. It will be harder for those who do not further their studies and almost impossible for those who have failed and don’t try again.

There is also bad news for those who have jobs because they face the prospect of paying higher taxes.

In recent years, our government has been steadily borrowing money and a few days ago we took an additional R11.4 billion from the World Bank. A billion is the number one followed by nine zeros. It is a lot of money, however you choose to describe it.

Currently, our country pays over R300bn a year to service the interest on the money we have already borrowed.

With fewer people able to find jobs, government will struggle in the years to come to meet the repayments. And that means those with money will have to pay higher taxes.