In South Africa unemployment remains one of the most persistent and contentious
economic complexities. The situation is even more critical among young people,
undermining both social security and the country’s long-term economic growth
and development prospects. Although graduate unemployment specifically is not
worrying, the fact is that many of South Africa’s graduates still struggle to get a
job, even after graduation. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of
graduates on factors influencing graduate unemployment. Using data collected
from the alumni database of one of the universities in South Africa, the study
made use of descriptive analysis and cross tabulations to explore the perceptions
of the causes of graduate unemployment between employed and unemployed
graduates. A chi-square test was used to further determine whether there are
significant differences in the responses of employed and unemployed graduates.
The need to understand what graduates perceive to be the reasons for graduate
unemployment may clarify the exertion or absence thereof on their part in
attempting to address their circumstance. The researcher does, however, consider
the sample size as being insufficient to generalise the findings. Further research
must aim to study a more representative sample