Poverty and Unemployment South Africa is a country known for its beautiful and colorful landscapes and culture. Unfortunately, South Africa is also known for a horrible period in its history, namely apartheid. Apartheid was a period in South African history in which racial groups were separated and segregated based on race. Blacks were segregated more than other races and treated very poorly. Unfortunately, this time in history, it may be the main reason why poverty and unemployment are such a serious problem in this country. According to Oxford Dictionaries, poverty is the state of being extremely poor; it also defines poverty as the state of inferior quality or insufficient quantity. From the above it is very clear that poverty does not only mean a lack of monetary value but also being inferior and/or insufficient. The misconception is that not having money causes the inferiority complex found in those who are considered inferior in society. This is the wrong way of thinking, since being inferior or seeing themselves as inferior is what stops them from seeing a way out of their poverty and this is what stops them from getting or seeing a way (a legal way) to get money . According to Economic Help, unemployment is defined as a situation in which someone of working age is unable to find a job but would like to have full-time employment. The above definition of unemployment paints a bleak picture, which is unfortunately a reality for many young people in South Africa. Unemployment doesn't just affect those who lack education and qualifications. Many unemployed South African citizens are graduates who have degrees to their name but are still unable to find stable employment...... middle of paper ...... have forced many companies to make study places available to young people who they have matriculation certificates but no funds for higher education. This allows young people to gain work experience. This was developed in an attempt to avoid young people having doors slammed in their faces because they don't have enough work experience. The government has also built many FET collages that provide skills and training at a higher education level at very low cost, a fraction of what universities cost. They do all this and continue to provide scholarships to those who are unable to pay the minimum fees they charge. There are other government initiatives such as the NYDA that provide scholarships for the most deserving young people; those are young people who achieve academically during their freshman year and provide them with the funds to take one with their higher education.