Desperate graduates demand ispani!

UNEMPLOYED pharmacists protest for jobs.

On Tuesday, 4 February, a group of unemployed pharmacists gathered at the Department of Health in Polokwane.

They aimed to urge authorities to swiftly provide employment opportunities and dispatch appointment letters to the more than 200 unemployed pharmacists in Limpopo.

Despite completing their qualifications and fulfilling their community service commitments, these pharmacists report ongoing unsuccessful job interviews in both public and private sectors.

Jacobeth Langa (24) from Mokopane graduated from Wits University in 2022.

She's a mum of one and expressed anxiety about her future and that of her child due to unemployment.

"Being unemployed took a toll on my mental health. I'm a mum of one and also the breadwinner at home. Financially, it's bad because I'm not working this year. I've been applying for jobs without any success. We are skilled, qualified, and unemployed. We deserve better," she said.

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Jacobeth fears for her future.

"You ask yourself if you're going to get a job or spend another two years without one. I'm anxious all the time. My anxiety is through the roof," she said.

Hendrick Segodi (24) from Modimolle shared a similar plight.

As the sole breadwinner and the first in his family to attend tertiary education, his family relies on him for a better life.

"I'm the sole breadwinner at home and the first child to go to university. My family depends on me for a better life. The government is not hiring, it is not releasing posts, and it's not absorbing us," Hendrick said.

Department of health spokesman Neil Shikwambane said they received the memorandum of grievances from unemployed pharmacists in their province.

"We agreed with them that we would respond after five working days. We'd like to emphasise that the department considers the availability of resources and funds to pay our health care workers before hiring."