Southern African universities focus on employability and entrepreneurship

Higher education institutions in Southern Africa are addressing youth unemployment by refining how they prepare graduates for the labor market.

In Eswatini, Botho University is implementing a curriculum designed to foster entrepreneurship rather than traditional job seeking. Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Mlungisi Patrick Msibi stated that the university aims to equip students with the skills to identify opportunities and create their own livelihoods. These entrepreneurial aspects are embedded across various faculties, including Business and Accounting, Engineering and Technology, and Health and Education, to ensure graduates remain relevant to market needs.

In South Africa, experts are highlighting the need for better alignment between academic programs and evolving employer expectations to combat skills mismatches and underemployment. Dr. Renee Minnaar of Rosebank International South Africa noted that many graduates struggle to find work related to their fields of study. Recommendations to bridge this gap include strengthening partnerships with government and business sectors to provide structured internships, learnerships, and enhanced career development services such as CV support and interview preparation.