SA Stunned by R12.5K Youth Grant and Made Future Plans After Seeing Viral TikTok Video
- South Africans were amazed to hear about the new R12.5K youth grant that will open for applications this week
- A number of taxpayers were not excited by the government’s decision to fund young people of Mzansi
- People online shared their thoughts and made future plans with the money they would receive if their application was approved
Don't miss out! Join Briefly News Sports channel on WhatsApp now!
The application for the R12.5K youth grant will open on 15 August, and South Africans are overwhelmed with emotions.

Source: Getty Images
The news went viral on social media after one youngster created a TikTok video showcasing his excitement for the grant. Taxpayers were not happy with the government’s decision to fund young people.
The grant is specifically for young entrepreneurs. The government will only fund those who have clear business plans. Applicants are encouraged to attend entrepreneurial webinars for a better chance of securing funding.
Mzansi reacts to R12.5K youth grant in viral TikTok video

Read also
A man’s viral TikTok revealed how far South Africa’s 2025 minimum wage went and why it fell short for many
A young South African man, Luyanda Williams, was over the moon when he learned about the new R12.5K youth grant. Most people, including Williams, were not aware that the funding was only for young entrepreneurs who needed financial help to launch their businesses:
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
“Tears of joy.”
According to an article by NPSSEDU, the grant is to empower the unemployed youth to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The one-time funding aims to tackle the 46.5% youth unemployment rate:
“This grant nurtures entrepreneurial pursuits, contrary to uninterrupted SASSA grants of R370 SRD, and an initiative in line with the National Development Plan and intending to fight poverty (which stood at 55.5% in 2025) and spur local economies.”
Watch the TikTok video below:
Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
Applications for the grant will open on Friday and will close on 31 October. To be eligible for the Youth Support Grant, applicants must have:
- A valid South African ID
- Be unemployed or underemployed with no active business generating more than R50,000 per annum
- Must be between the ages of 18-35
- Have a registered bank account
- Must propose a business, vocational training, or community project that would bring about high impact
How does the application process work?
Applications for the grant will open on Friday and close on 31 October. Submissions are to be made online through government portals (gov.za or NYDA website). If one cannot access an electronic device, they have to gather important documents like their ID, bank statements, proof of unemployment, and a business proposal to the offices of local municipalities.
To follow up, applicants must check their SMS messages or constantly visit their portal. The grant is a one-time payment that could be used to start a small business.
SA reacts to new youth grant from the government on social media

Read also
“The consequences would be quite significant”: SA’s richest woman threatens UK after her scheme was cracked
Social media users shared their thoughts in a thread of comments on the viral video:

Source: Getty Images
@SlenderBear wrote:
“Things are becoming worse. We don't want charity; we want to work, fulfil, and serve with the qualifications we have. SA is becoming a pit.”
@Reitu_d commented:
“How weird this grant is R12500, but when you're on an internship, you only get R7450. Honestly, our government is taking us for a ride.”
@Thembelihle Lihle Si suggested:
“This should be for unemployed graduates; the rest will continue with R350.”
@Ndhlovu said:
“People can resign and stay home once, yho, R12k is a salary.”
@Nkonyane yenkosi sighed:
“That means more taxes for the working class.”
@Sibongile commented:
“If this is true, then our government is useless. They are busy crippling our youth day by day. Instead of helping our youth with employment and skills, they are busy crippling us into lazy individuals who depend on the government.”

Read also
LADGAC rehab centre received donations from anonymous men who admired their work helping drug addicts
@Chosen Gail was outraged:
“Haibo, I'm resigning, there's no way I'll stay employed earning R5k with a Bcom, and my unemployed peers are getting R12k. When is it starting?”
3 More stories related to the youth of South Africa by Briefly News
- The Black South African youth shared the biggest burden of finally being the 33% who secured a job in Mzansi.
- The South African youth shared how they planned on securing their first homes in their early 20s amid economic decline.
- South Africans were wowed and excited by a young scholar’s remake of a popular scene in the Sarafina film.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News