Cape town: Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh announced in Parliament that the government is actively working to create job opportunities for young people while simultaneously fostering the next generation of environmental professionals. Singh highlighted that during the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment enhanced its youth employment strategies through targeted graduate-focused initiatives within Environmental Programmes.
According to South African Government News Agency, these initiatives provided structured exposure to environmental work for 6,083 young people and graduates, offering service delivery support and practical workplace experience. A significant component of this effort is the Municipal Environmental Graduates Programme launched in August 2025. This programme addresses youth unemployment and the limited environmental capacity within local governments by placing 430 environmental graduates in municipalities for a 24-month period.
Following positive feedback and a recognized need for continued support, 110 additional graduates were added to the programme in February 2026, totaling 540 participants across 205 local municipalities. These graduates are involved in various activities, including environmental planning, compliance, waste management, and climate resilience, contributing to biodiversity initiatives and community awareness.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that this effort extends into the 2026/27 financial year, with plans to provide 3,897 more youth and graduate opportunities across Environmental Programmes. An investment budget of R83,824,535.36 million has been allocated to ensure the continuation and impact of these initiatives.
Singh further stated that the department's efforts go beyond temporary relief by building a skilled workforce of young environmental practitioners who can significantly contribute to South Africa's green economy. Key initiatives include Working for Water, which focuses on clearing invasive alien plants, and Working on Waste, which aims to transform urban areas into cleaner spaces while supporting local economic development.
Additionally, the Working for the Coast programme empowers vulnerable coastal communities to protect marine environments through litter picking and waste removal, thus safeguarding both environmental and human health.
