The Fourth Industrial Revolution and unemployment in South Africa: a continuing challenge
https://doi.org/10.30729/2541-8823-2024-9-1-7-27
Abstract
This article explores the interplay between South Africa’s persistent unemployment issue and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Characterized by advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Th ings (IoT), robotics and automation, the 4IR shapes industries and work dynamics, bringing both potential and challenges for employment. Amid South Africa’s historical unemployment struggles, the article examines the 4IR’s impact on the labor market and strategies to address this complexity. The 4IR presents a twofold impact on employment in South Africa. Automation displaces traditional jobs, notably in manufacturing and agriculture, intensifying concerns about job losses. Concurrently, evolving skill demands leave many workers unprepared for roles in emerging fields, exacerbating the existing skills gap and socio-economic inequalities. Nonetheless, the 4IR offers avenues to counter unemployment. Vital reskilling and upskilling initiatives are emerging to equip the workforce with relevant 4IR-related skills. Investing in training programs can ease workforce transitions and mitigate automation’s adverse eff ects. Furthermore, nurturing entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can stimulate economic diversifi cation and create employment opportunities, fostering a more resilient labor market. To navigate 4IR challenges, proactive measures are crucial. Government policies promoting technology integration, innovation, and workforce development can drive sustainable growth and job creation. Ensuring digital inclusivity is also vital, in bridging the technological divide. In essence, the intricate 4IR-unemployment relationship presents diverse challenges and opportunities.
By cultivating an adaptable workforce, fostering entrepreneurship, and implementing strategic policies, South Africa can tackle the ongoing challenge of unemployment while harnessing the transformative potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
About the Author
W. M. MokofeSouth Africa
William Manga Mokofe (East London, South Africa) — PhD (Law), Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, Senior Lecturer in Law of the Eduvos Private Higher Education Institution
12 Stewart Drive Berea St., East London, 5241
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Review
For citations:
Mokofe W. The Fourth Industrial Revolution and unemployment in South Africa: a continuing challenge. Kazan University Law Review. 2024;9(1):7-27. https://doi.org/10.30729/2541-8823-2024-9-1-7-27
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