Unemployed Youth March to BMW in Rosslyn Demanding Jobs
Unemployed youth marched to BMW in Rosslyn demanding jobs amid the unemployment crisis, as hundreds gathered on 4 September 2025 in the industrial hub of Pretoria to protest exclusionary practices by major companies and push for economic inclusion, delivering memorandums that warned of potential shutdowns if their calls for hiring quotas and procurement reforms go unanswered.
The peaceful march saw over 6,000 young people from nearby townships like Soshanguve, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveldt and Hammanskraal take to the streets, frustrated by a lack of work despite big factories operating in their backyard for years.  Organised by the Reyaga Community Project, also known as Rea Aga, along with Soil of Africa, Progressive Forces and the South African National Civic Organisation, the group targeted car makers such as BMW, Ford, Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, plus others like Lion Match and the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund Board.  They also sent their demands to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Protesters started at a meeting point early in the morning, then moved to hand over memorandums at the gates of these firms. They sang songs and held signs calling for change, but kept things calm with police watching over. The main push was for jobs, as South Africa’s youth unemployment sits above 45%, leaving many young folks without hope or ways to help their families.  This high rate has sparked anger across the country, with some saying government plans like the R350 social relief grant just create reliance, not real fixes.
In their memorandum, the group laid out clear demands. They want radical changes to how companies buy goods and services, with 40% of non-core work going to small businesses from townships by 2026.  They called for big contracts to be split up so smaller players can bid, and for all supplier lists and deal values to be made public. On hiring, they asked for a 30% quota for people from nearby areas in new jobs, and to drop rules that shut out the poor, like needing your own car to apply. They also want 500 young folks from townships taken into training each year, with a special plan to speed up youth jobs.
The protesters hit hard at what they see as unfair ways. They said firms like BMW keep out local people while making big money in black communities, carrying on old apartheid setups that kept townships poor.  They pointed to the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund, saying after R600 million spent, only about 7% helps black business owners. They demanded a full redo of the fund and more spending on local schools, factories and start-ups through company social funds.
Leaders spoke out strong. Reyaga’s President King Bongani Ramontja said the companies profit off the land but leave young people with nothing. “We cannot stand aloof to such unethical and un-ANC tendencies occurring under our leadership,” he might say in another spot, but here he stressed it is a demand, not a beg.  He warned if no action in 15 days, they would step up without backing down. Youth leader Joseph Maake added that training must lead to work, or it is just using people. “Employment after training is crucial; training without employment is exploitation,” he said. 
SANCO’s national chair Bishop Bakwena backed them, saying the R350 grant is not enough – young people want steady jobs to feed families. He slammed big talks and summits, saying use that cash for real work instead.  Protesters shared their pain too. Lerato Mokgatle from Soshanguve talked about spending loads on CVs with no calls back, feeling down and lost. Thabo Mokoena from Mabopane said job hunts make him feel worthless and sad. Nandi Sibanda from Hammanskraal said she has given up hope after years without work, hurting her mind and family. 
The companies did not say much right away. BMW and others got the papers, but no quick replies came. Some said they would look at hiring ways and talk more with locals, but nothing firm yet.  The group gave seven to 15 days for answers, hinting at a full shutdown of Rosslyn if ignored. They brought up old fights like Sharpeville and Marikana, warning that ignoring poor folks leads to big trouble. 
This march echoes wider anger in South Africa over no jobs for young people. Rates hit 45.5% for those 15-34 in early 2025, worse for black youth. Government pushes plans like youth service and training, but many say it is too slow. In places like Rosslyn, home to car plants since the 1970s, folks feel left out while firms grow. BMW makes cars there since 1973, but locals say jobs go to outsiders or foreigners.
Past protests in the area, like a BMW strike in 2024 over job cuts, show ongoing fights.  BMW has youth plans like Yes4Youth, taking in grads for work, but protesters say it is not enough or not for locals. In 2025, they opened spots for supply chain and more, but calls for more keep coming. 
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