'I could do more': DJ Zinhle makes backlash-fuelled apology after controversial remarks

• DJ Zinhle has apologised to those she might have offended when she made remarks about South African youth being both unemployed and unemployable. 
• The mother of two said they "don't have the skills that are required". 
• While many were less than impressed by her remarks, media personality Sizwe Dhlomo defended her, saying she was "advocating" for the youth. 

Musician and reality TV star Ntombezinhle Jiyane, better known as DJ Zinhle, kickstarted her week with a serving of humble pie after finding herself on the wrong side of social media. 

Jiyane found herself on the wrong side of the X (formerly known as Twitter) trend list following remarks she made during an interview with Radio 702's Relebogile Mabotja. 

In a snippet of the interview, shared online, the mother of two made remarks about South African youth being both unemployed and unemployable. 

"The one thing about the South African youth is not just that they are unemployed - a lot of them are unemployable - they don't have the skills that are required," she said in the interview. 

"It bugs me how long it takes for us to fill in positions at Era. Just to find the right person for our stores it literally takes longer than it should in a country that has so much unemployment." 

Though Jiyane did the interview earlier in the month, social media users were not impressed when they heard her remarks as the video went viral at the weekend. 

While many questioned what skills she required from the youth, media personality Sizwe Dhlomo defended Jiyane, saying, "DJ Zinhle is not admonishing the youth in that interview; she's actually advocating for them." 

"She's saying the quality of our education and development doesn't put them in the best position to be competitive in the job market." 

Hours later, the DJ Zinhle - The Unexpected star weighed in on the conversation around her remarks, saying she was "glad" it was being talked about. She also extended an apology to those whom she might have offended. 

"I wasn't attacking the youth at all," she said. 

"As a small business owner, I employ and train people, but this doesn't even start to solve the problems we face as South African youth. I could do more with support from the government." 

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Jiyane continued by asking how the youth could be upskilled to be ready for employment. She also asked whether people were in denial that they were not getting the jobs they wanted because they did not have the required skills and that not everyone was getting the education they needed to be employable. 

"You guys are speaking from a one-sided view of graduates who have matric, a diploma, etc and can't get jobs. I'm not saying they don't need assistance; they do, but we need to think about the youth holistically, so we challenge the people in power."

DJ Zinhle has been contacted for comment, and it will be added once received.

Per Stats South Africa, statistics indicated that the unemployment rate among young people (age 15 – 34) was 45.5%, compared to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024.