March Wraps: Rosslyn Youth Protest: Thousands Demand Local Employment Opportunities
Economy
3days ago
Pretoria Youth Protest in Rosslyn Demands Jobs from Local Factories
By GlobalZa
Thousands of unemployed youth marched in Pretoria’s Rosslyn, demanding jobs from BMW, Nissan & other factories over South Africa’s 45% youth unemployment.
Pretoria Youth Protest in Rosslyn Demands Jobs from Local Factories
Pretoria, September 4, 2025 – Thousands of unemployed young people from Pretoria’s northwestern townships of Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveldt, and Soshanguve brought Rosslyn’s industrial hub to a standstill on Thursday, demanding urgent job opportunities.
The march, organized under the banner of Rea Aga Community Projects and supported by civic groups such as SANCO and Progressive Forces, saw protesters deliver memorandums to several major companies, including BMW, Nissan, and Lion Match. Their central demand was that factories hire more South African youth instead of prioritizing foreign nationals.
“The youth are tired of the R350 grant. They want permanent jobs to support their families,” said SANCO national chairperson Bishop Bakwena. “We appeal to Rosslyn employers to start by hiring locals first. People cannot survive on handouts anymore.”
Protesters accused factories of overlooking nearby communities despite decades of operating in the region. They gave the companies seven days to respond positively to their demands for employment opportunities.
While police monitored the march, the protest remained peaceful, with thousands braving the scorching midday heat to maintain pressure on factory executives. In response, some companies reportedly committed to reviewing their hiring practices and engaging further with community leaders.
The demonstration comes amid South Africa’s staggering 45% youth unemployment rate, which has become a flashpoint for frustration and anger. Many participants criticized government programs such as the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, saying they foster dependency without addressing structural unemployment.
Social media reactions were divided, with some praising the youth for directly confronting industry, while others argued that the focus should be on government’s economic policies and failure to stimulate job creation.
“National dialogues and summits are a waste of money,” Bishop Bakwena added. “Those billions should be redirected into creating employment. People want jobs, not speeches.”
As the protest concluded, the message from Rosslyn’s youth was clear: employment, not handouts, is the solution to poverty and inequality.
