#StellaMustGo: Youth unemployment soars while SMME support collapses under her absent leadership
There has been a steady decline and collapse of support for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) under the leadership of Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams since her appointment 1400 days ago. Her tenure has delivered frustration for millions of young South Africans, be they job seekers or job creators.
Instead of appointing a credible, independent voice to advocate for struggling entrepreneurs, the process has been marred by backroom deals and insider politics. The very office that is meant to protect SMMEs from government red tape and corruption is being used as a reward mechanism for loyal cadres.
South Africa now has the highest youth unemployment rate in the world, with 4.7 million young people aged 15–34 not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
In Q1 of 2025, the economy grew by a dismal 0.1%, confirming that the government’s economic policy is directionless and anti-growth.
Over 320,000 graduates remain unemployed, proving that education alone is not enough in a broken economy with no job pipeline and no enabling environment for new businesses.
Young entrepreneurs trying to start or grow businesses face insurmountable obstacles: late payments from government, lack of access to capital, bureaucratic red tape, and no safety net when disputes arise. Instead of reforming the system to support these youth-led enterprises, the department is busy recycling political appointees and rehashing failed strategies.
It is time for Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams to step aside. South Africa needs a youth-focused, jobs-focused leader at the helm. Someone who understands the urgency of the unemployment crisis and who will fight for real reforms to unlock the full potential of the SMME sector.
It is time for Stella to go!!!
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