About 8,000 jobs advertised by the Gauteng government with an age restriction of 35 has left those older and unemployed feeling their cries have been ignored.
However, premier Panyaza Lesufi responded to the concerns, saying: “We are committed to support all ages but we can’t donate our future, the youth, to alcohol, drugs and gender-based violence. We have to take a stand and on this one I am unapologetic.
“More opportunities without age restrictions are coming,” he said.
Age restrictions have been a thorny issue for years.
In 2014, Daluxolo Nicholas Sali, who was a police reservist for years but was rejected for permanent appointment because of age, took the police ministry to the Constitutional Court, accusing them of unfair discrimination.
According to court papers, Sali worked as a police reservist in Gqeberha from 2006 and applied to be a full-time officer in 2009. At that time, Sali was 41. He applied for two posts — one had an age restriction of 40 and the other 41 to 45. He was rejected because of age despite passing fitness tests and training.
“After his application he was required to take various tests, including a medical examination to determine his state of health. He was successful in all tests. He also passed a physical fitness assessment.
“He was informed of the decision not to appoint him to the vacancies. The reason, he was told, was that he was above the age of 40 years,” the papers read.
Sali lost the battle in the Constitutional Court. His case highlights the struggle of those over the youth age limit but unemployed.
The debate on age restrictions continues on social media:
Sad to have 40 year old engineers, economists, lawyers, health workers etc., perishing and dependent on nurses, teachers pensions..totally heartbreaking 💔
— Mapato_Ramokgopa (@obonwer) June 18, 2023
It’s truly amazing how “youth age” is relative in this country. We have 40yr olds leading “youth” movements yet when it comes to employment there’s an age restriction
— Favoured🥰 (@BusisiweOM) June 18, 2023
Your mandate is commendable but it is disheartening to have children in school and tertiary that you can’t afford to take care of because of the age exclusion amongst many organisations.
— MsB (@blekoane4) June 18, 2023
but you might be unapologetic but the truth is this age restrictions are disadvantage to some of us.we all have responsibility have kids to feed n family and we do vote without age restrictions..give me 5 reasons why we have age restrictions on job opportunities
— ST.noko (@sydneythobejane) June 19, 2023
Mr Lesufi we're not saying, opportunities should be given to over 35 year Olds only but to everyone. One of the reasons our brothers and sisters are into crime, prostitution and suffering from depression is this unemployment. Everyone must be given a chance sir.
— Maximum (@MaximumRSA) June 19, 2023
The age limit should be reconsidered. If i am fourty and having qualifications , i am out, thats unfair because its only now that Ispani jobs are advertised a lot . People have been applying for years, without success.
— Mirriam (@Mirriam73603496) June 20, 2023
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