Youth jobs crisis: govt under fire

The Coalition of Youth Organisations has strongly criticised the government for what it describes as poor management and a lack of urgency in responding to Lesotho’s youth unemployment crisis, despite the recent declaration of a state of disaster on the issue.

In June 2025, the government declared youth unemployment a national emergency, acknowledging the depth of the crisis that continues to affect thousands of young Basotho. While the move was initially welcomed as a significant milestone, youth organisations now fear the declaration is being reduced to mere rhetoric, with no tangible action or accountability mechanisms in place.

In a strongly worded letter dated 28 July 2025 and addressed to Prime Minister Sam Matekane, the Coalition – represented by BachaShutDown Secretary General Thandi Chabeli – accuses the government of breaching several legal provisions by failing to implement the critical measures outlined in the Disaster Management Act of 1997.

“We completely reject the pace and timing at which responsible government officers are handling this matter. The failure to adhere to agreed-upon deadlines violates Section 3(2)(s)(vii) of the Lesotho Codes of Good Practice, which deems it an offence to disregard target dates or use red tape as an excuse for inaction,” the letter states.

The coalition argues that the delay in constituting the Ministerial Task Team and appointing a National Coordinator, as required by law, constitutes a breach of the very act the government invoked when making the declaration. The failure to meet these obligations, the coalition warns, could ultimately nullify the effectiveness of the state of disaster declaration.

“The absence of these critical steps risks reducing the declaration to a symbolic gesture rather than a legally enforceable and actionable response. This inaction not only erodes public trust but worsens the desperation among young people already grappling with unemployment,” the letter adds.

The Coalition cited what it calls specific legal breaches, including:

• Section 47 of the Disaster Management Act of 1997, which outlines the steps to be taken following the declaration of a disaster;
• Section 21(2)(a), which requires the appointment of the CEO of the Disaster Management Authority as the National Coordinator;
• Section 8, which mandates the formation of a National Disaster Relief Task Force.

Chabeli emphasised that continued delays violate Section 3(1)(c), (d), and (e) of the Codes of Good Practice, which protect the public from undue delays that pose a threat to life, property, and national interests.

The coalition has demanded that the government immediately:

1. Constitute and gazette the Ministerial Task Team as required by law;
2. Appoint the National Coordinator to oversee implementation;
3. Publish a public roadmap and implementation plan, outlining how youth voices will be meaningfully included in the decision-making process.

“We remain available to engage further in the spirit of partnership. However, if urgent steps are not taken, we will invoke all available legal provisions; not to spite your office, but in defence of the interests and future of Lesotho’s youth,” the letter concludes.

The group gave the government seven working days to respond with tangible progress, warning that failure to do so could result in legal action.

This escalation follows earlier scepticism from individual youth organisations and civil society actors who had already voiced concern over the lack of clarity and action following the declaration.

A local litigation and consulting firm even called for the withdrawal of the state of disaster, claiming it was unconstitutional and not aligned with the requirements of the Disaster Management Act.

Despite these criticisms, the coalition acknowledged that the declaration itself (officially gazetted three weeks ago) was a long-overdue step in the right direction. But it insists that action must follow swiftly if the crisis is to be meaningfully addressed.

“The Prime Minister gave the directive on 18 June 2025 for all relevant officials to implement the declaration. Yet to date, we still do not have a functioning National Disaster Relief Task Force or a designated National Coordinator,” the coalition noted.

The coalition concluded that young people are tired of empty promises and need the government to treat the matter with the seriousness and urgency it demands.

“Youth unemployment is not just a statistic; it is a daily reality for thousands of Basotho. We need action, not excuses,” Chabeli stressed.