Afrika Tikkun is calling for early, long-term measures to address South Africa’s youth unemployment rate, which it cites as nearly 61%. The organization’s CEO, Marc Lubner, says meaningful change requires a holistic approach that begins in early childhood and continues through to young people’s entry into employment. According to the account, the emphasis is on supporting disadvantaged children over time rather than focusing only on later-stage training or job placement. The call aligns the youth unemployment challenge with earlier social and educational interventions, arguing that strengthening outcomes earlier in life can improve employment prospects when young people reach working age. The organization frames the issue as one that needs sustained support across multiple stages of development, with early identification of needs and continued assistance through education and into employment pathways.