By Lungisani Mkhulise
The reSURGEnce conference held in Durban, which is aimed at creating economic opportunities, began with a scene that unintentionally highlighted the severe job crisis in the city.
The conference theme was, “A Thicker Slice of the Economic Pie: Access. Connect. Thrive.” But for many in the audience, the ‘pie’ is far out of reach.
On a Monday morning, when most people are at work, the conference venue was packed with hundreds of people. Attendance exceeded the hosts expected numbers, to an extent that caterers were found wanting, food on offer on the day was insufficient, with scores leaving without a meal on the day.
But the big question is, why were so many people free to attend on a working Monday?
This points to the reality of South Africa’s high unemployment rate, with Statistics South Africa reporting a rate of 33.2% in the second quarter of 2025. They were fully packed at the venue because they did not have anywhere else to go to. Instead, they arrived at the conference seeking opportunities or solutions.
EThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said Durban is a hub full of massive, profitable industries in the manufacturing, tourism, and logistics sectors which should ideally be utilised to combat the scourge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the city and province as a whole.
City Manager Musa Mbhele, asked an important question, “Where are our people in this economy?” The crowds he was addressing are the very people he asked about, however contrary to this question, they’re attendance was predominantly due to being the missing middle, excluded from effectively participating in the economy.
For attendees like Sibongile Dlamini from Umlazi, South of Durban the conference was a reminder of her own struggles.
Dlamini said she attended because she was tired of sitting at home.
“I studied hospitality but I have never had a stable job. Maybe here I will hear about something that will give me hope,” she said.
The event drew more than 800 people which included 200 international delegates, but the loudest message came from the crowd itself.
The bustling halls during a weekday showed the struggle of ordinary South Africans, unemployment is rife, unemployed are desperate for change.
Thabo Mthembu from KwaMashu, shared the same frustration.
“It’s painful to spend every day looking for work and finding nothing. I came here because I want to learn if there are real opportunities, but we have heard many promises before,” he said.
As one speaker, Reverend Dennis Dillon, spoke about linking Africa with its diaspora for growth, the reality on the ground was clear, until more jobs are created, Durban’s people will keep showing up to events like these, not because they have the time or dreams to expand their businesses, but because they are unemployed.
The real test for the conference will be whether the speeches translate into actual jobs and businesses for the people who were in attendance on a Monday morning.
Without that, the reSURGEnce event risks being just another talk-shop, a temporary distraction for a population that needs real work.
