Table of Contents
Introduction
There’s something quietly heart-breaking about seeing so much potential go unrealized. You walk through a township, maybe early in the morning, and there’s this strange hush—kids who should be in school are already out, wandering, looking for something to do. Some might still be trying. Others gave up a long time ago. And honestly, who can blame them?
We like to say education is the great equalizer. And maybe, in theory, it is. But in practice? It’s complicated.
The Reality of Limited Access
Internet access is a perfect example. We’re in 2025—streaming, remote work, online degrees. Yet, a large chunk of South African households still don’t have consistent internet. Especially in rural areas. You’ve got students trying to download entire lessons with barely-there signals, or relying on borrowed data just to check one assignment.
And data isn’t cheap. That alone becomes a kind of gatekeeper. A silent one.
According to a 2023 Juta survey, nearly a third of students reported struggling to access course materials due to poor internet or expensive data. That’s not just inconvenient. That’s paralyzing.
Money: The Unspoken Blocker
Then there’s the cost of education itself. Sure, there are bursaries and government programs, but they’re limited. And navigating them? That’s a skill in itself. For many families, especially those surviving on social grants or part-time income, even basic school expenses—transport, uniforms, lunch—can be too much.
It’s not just about tuition. It’s about everything else wrapped around it.
The Department of Basic Education’s own statistics have shown that nearly one in four dropouts is linked to financial difficulty. And that was before inflation really started biting.
Pressure, Role Models, and the Weight of Hopelessness
Here’s where it gets murkier. Even when school is technically “available,” it’s not always seen as viable.
In communities where unemployment is the norm, school can start to feel… symbolic. Like something we pretend matters, but no one really expects to work out. And if you don’t know anyone who finished school and went on to something better—why would you believe it’ll be different for you?
Some kids face peer pressure not to “try too hard.” Others fall into gangs, or just get lost in the day-to-day. It’s not always a dramatic fall. Sometimes it’s quiet. Subtle. You miss one day, then three. Before you know it, you’re not going back.
The Zero Dropout Campaign highlighted this exact thing: peer pressure, unstable home lives, and lack of mentorship are some of the biggest quiet killers of ambition.
The Job Market Doesn’t Help
Then there’s the job market. Or… lack of one. If you’re under 25 in South Africa, you’re more likely than not to be unemployed. That’s just a fact.
In 2024, youth unemployment hovered around 60%. So even if you study, even if you pass… what’s waiting for you?
That thought alone can be enough to shut down motivation before it even starts.
But There’s a Glimmer: YOUniversity.co.za
It’s not all grim. And honestly, despite everything, there are people trying to change the story. One of them? Our growing online platform e-learning called YOUniversity.co.za.
It was built with a pretty clear mission: make education accessible, affordable—and maybe just as importantly—make it feel exciting again.
We aim to offer a wide range of online courses, from business and design to health and tech. Many of the courses are priced so that even someone with limited resources could realistically afford them. Some are free.
Our site is mobile-friendly for people in lower-income areas who use phones more than computers and laptops. That’s baked into our design.
We also allow instructors to earn an income by creating and selling their own courses, which creates a bit of a cycle: more local content, more relevance, more impact.
Is It Enough?
Maybe not. Not yet.
Our e-learning platform isn’t going to undo decades of systemic inequality. But it’s a start. And more than that—it’s a signal. That someone sees what’s happening. That someone cares enough to try.
And for the kid sitting in a backyard with a cracked phone and a little bit of data, maybe that’s all it takes to get started.
That, or maybe just one adult who says, “I believe you can.”
And if we had more of both—well. Who knows what could change?
Get started with your e-Learning by viewing our courses. When you find something you’re interested in, register to purchase a course. You’re welcome to register as Instructor, load a course(s) and start earning.