After completing matric in 2012, Ntandazo Ncobela could not continue with his studies due to financial constraints. With no support to pursue higher education, he turned to hustling for survival, working with local delivery vans (Oosiyalayisha) and helping load and offload goods in his community. Determined to better his chances, he obtained a driver’s license in 2016. With perseverance, he eventually secured a vehicle he could hire out, providing transport services to those who needed it.
Yet, his work remains unpredictable. Around Amos Hardware, where he operates, drivers depend entirely on customer demand, and if no one hires a vehicle, there is simply no work for the day. Ncobela’s experience reflects a wider crisis. According to Statistics South Africa, youth unemployment continues to rise, with nearly half of young people aged 15 to 34 unable to find work.
Even those with education struggle to access opportunities due to a lack of resources and support. “It is not easy to wake up in the morning and return home at sunset without having worked or earned anything,” Ncobela says. His words capture the daily reality of many young people in Bizana, where the dream of steady employment often feels out of reach. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful. For him, creating more job opportunities would mean more than just an income, it would mean dignity, stability, and the chance for young people to build a better future.
