SA Stunned by R12.5K Youth Grant and Made Future Plans After Seeing Viral TikTok Video

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

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The application for the R12.5K youth grant will open on 15 August, and South Africans are overwhelmed with emotions.

Youth excited about R12.5K funding
The SA youth was excited to hear about the R12.5K grant from the government. Image: @Klaus Vedfelt
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

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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:

“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:

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  • 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

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Social media users shared their thoughts in a thread of comments on the viral video:

Youth grant gets SA talking
The new youth grant created a buzz after one youngster shared the news online. Image: @Goodboy Picture Company
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.”

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@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

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Chuma Nontsele avatar

Chuma Nontsele (Human Interest Editor) Chuma Nontsele is a human interest journalist for Briefly News (joined in 2024). Nontsele holds a Diploma in Journalism and started her career working at Daily Maverick as a news reporter. Later, she ventured into lifestyle and entertainment. Chuma has 3 years of experience as a journalist. You can reach her at chuma.nontsele@briefly.co.za