Hundreds of young people from Nkomazi in Mpumalanga marched to the gates of RCL Foods Sugar and Milling this week to hand over a memorandum accusing the company of overlooking locals when recruiting for jobs.
Claims of exclusion and unanswered applications
Participants — many of them recent graduates — told organisers they have been submitting job applications to the company for years without receiving feedback. They alleged that positions have instead been filled by applicants from other provinces, including KwaZulu‑Natal and the Free State.
“It’s been a long time. We don’t have a job. They’re hiring people from outside. As our brothers say, some come from KZN, from the Free State. So, we’re here in Nkomazi. So, we’re looking for a job,”
Another protester said the unemployment problem was compounded because parents were also out of work and depended on their children to provide for households.
Organisers set sights on larger employers
Sibusiso Mhlanga, who helped organise the march, said the action was not only directed at RCL Foods — often referred to locally by its sugar brand — but was an introduction of the youth movement itself. He said organisers recognise the volume of employment at TSB (Tongaat Sugar’s Mpumalanga operations) and other large firms in the sub‑region and intend to engage those employers too.
“Firstly, TSB is located in our sub‑region, Nkomazi, and it’s the biggest firm. We are not only targeting TSB. We are starting here because it’s closer to us,” Mhlanga said, according to the memorandum handed over.
Local context and impact
Nkomazi is a municipality with a significant agricultural and agro‑processing footprint. Large sugar and milling operations are major employers in the area, and perceptions of hiring practices by these firms often shape community sentiment.
For local youth, access to jobs at nearby companies offers not only individual livelihoods but also relief for families facing high unemployment. When applicants feel excluded from local employment opportunities, tensions can rise and lead to public demonstrations such as this week’s march.
- Protest size: hundreds of youth from Nkomazi (organisers' description)
- Main demand: more local hiring and transparency in recruitment
- Targets: RCL Foods Sugar and Milling; organisers say they will also engage other major employers such as TSB
What the protesters want
The memorandum delivered to RCL Foods, as described by organisers and participants, sought clearer information about vacancies, recruitment criteria and a commitment to prioritise suitably qualified local candidates. Protesters said they wanted a response to long‑standing applications and more inclusive hiring practices.
| Issue raised | Protesters' description |
|---|---|
| Unanswered applications | Graduates say they have applied repeatedly and received no feedback |
| Hiring from outside | Claims some recruits come from KwaZulu‑Natal and the Free State |
| High local unemployment | Organisers say parents and youth are unemployed and under strain |
Response and next steps
At the time of the march, there was no public response from RCL Foods in the material provided by march organisers. The organisers said the action in Nkomazi is intended to be the first in a series of engagements with large employers across the sub‑region.
Community representatives and local leaders may now be expected to mediate between youth groups and company human resources teams to seek a practical way forward, including transparent vacancy advertising and clear timelines for responses to applicants. It remains important that such discussions provide measurable commitments that can be tracked by the community.
Practical information for jobseekers
Youth seeking employment with large agri‑processing companies in the region should keep written records of applications and follow up through formal channels. If there is concern about unfair hiring practices, applicants can seek advice from local ward councillors or labour advice services.
This protest highlights ongoing challenges in matching local labour supply with opportunities at major employers in Mpumalanga’s agricultural economy. For communities dependent on these industries, clarity and accountability in recruitment are central to social stability and economic inclusion.
Nomsa Mahlangu
Mpumalanga Correspondent (Mbombela)
