Young people are picketing outside Parliament this morning as the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, delivers her budget speech for the 2026/27 fiscal year to the National Assembly.
The protest highlights widespread frustration among youth over persistent high unemployment, which the government declared a national state of disaster in July 2025. The declaration, prompted by youth unemployment rates approaching 50%, job losses in key sectors, and external economic shocks, aimed to enable emergency measures, resource mobilisation, and faster interventions under the Disaster Management Act, with the state of disaster in effect until June 30, 2027.
Protesters are calling for tangible, funded actions in the budget to create large-scale jobs, support skills development, boost youth-led enterprises, especially in agriculture and entrepreneurship, and address structural barriers that leave many young Basotho without opportunities.
Summary
- The protest highlights widespread frustration among youth over persistent high unemployment, which the government declared a national state of disaster in July 2025.
- The declaration, prompted by youth unemployment rates approaching 50%, job losses in key sectors, and external economic shocks, aimed to enable emergency measures, resource mobilisation, and faster interventions under the Disaster Management Act, with the state of disaster in effect until June 30, 2027.
- Protesters are calling for tangible, funded actions in the budget to create large-scale jobs, support skills development, boost youth-led enterprises, especially in agriculture and entrepreneurship, and address structural barriers that leave many young Basotho without opportunities.
Authored by our expert team of writers and editors, with thorough research.
