Township Youth Unemployment in the Classical and Keynesian Perspective: A Qualitative Study of Cato Manor, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Unemployment remains a major development problem in many countries. In developing countries, such as South Africa, unemployment has increased alongside poverty and inequality levels. For governments and development stakeholders, unemployment remains a key policy concern. Evidently, youth is the main victim of unemployment, particularly in townships and rural areas. Drawing from the lenses of the classical and Keynesian perspectives, this paper critically analyses the nature of youth unemployment in Cato Manor Township, Durban, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was adopted to elicit data. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation were conducted among the youth aged 18 to 34 years. The results indicate that job scarcity in the labour market, lack of relevant skills and qualifications, lack of relevant previous work experience, corruption, and nepotism are among the key factors sustaining youth’s vulnerability to unemployment in townships like Cato Manor. This paper concludes that youth unemployment in Cato Manor is “involuntary.” These results call for cooperation between key stakeholders to address fundamental causes of youth unemployment, including the problem of skills shortages among the township youth.