South Africans can’t find jobs, turn to memes on Twitter instead

Introducing the bleakest trending hashtag we’ve seen in South Africa for a good while.

#ToGetAJobInSA began trending across the country’s Twitter timelines on Monday evening, highlighting just how difficult it is to find employment in South Africa, even as graduates. Participants aren’t talking about the unemployment rate though, but rather highlighting the ridiculous demands placed on first-time job seekers.

It’s not clear who exactly used the hashtag initially, nor how it sparked into life on a cold Monday evening, but hidden behind the responses of memes and GIFs lies a real issue in South Africa.

https://twitter.com/_tshiamii/status/1151115015556149248

https://twitter.com/DjSouLStaRSA/status/1151115591945789440

https://twitter.com/Ntokozo969/status/1151117379457490944

Nevertheless, others really just contibuted for the memes, tbh.

You must have connections 😭 #ToGetAJobInSA pic.twitter.com/fJQ9EWtuwd

— Khanya Thembane (@noksy_k) July 16, 2019

#ToGetAJobInSA is such a drag. You'll go to the Police Station so many times that the officers will know your name and qualifications. pic.twitter.com/bCqIsYgErF

— Aus’T 🤌🏽 (@_ts_ngubeni) July 16, 2019

#ToGetAJobInSa you must change your physical address more than 10 times b4… pic.twitter.com/iNEEcwX5n2

— Chumani (@Dalugcoyo) July 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/MANDISI883/status/1151124637494992902

Some offered advice.

#ToGetAJobInSA you must go to school (don't be overqualified), go to church, see a sangoma, abstain from sex and alcohol, fast for 40 days and nights, apply to 500 companies a day, kiss people's asses and pay for connections.
What did I miss? pic.twitter.com/vg34dZe2kg

— Aus’T 🤌🏽 (@_ts_ngubeni) July 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/Mc_Doody/status/1151124093678358528

Advice that I’m sure some in government would love…

If you want to get a job you must have a fourth industrial skill like data science, software development, cyber security etc #ToGetAJobInSA

— cravings (@VEGITA_SA) July 16, 2019

Beyond the jest, this is a dire discussion, especially considering South Africa’s youth unemployment rate. Statistics South Africa in May revealed that 55.2% of South African graduates aged between 15 and 24 were unemployed. And this number’s increasing.

Feature image: Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz via Unsplash