There are various viewpoints about the effects the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) has

on our labor market, nationally and internationally. The overarching theme prevalent
is all job seekers need to increase their human capital to keep up with the digital
economy we now live in. This essay will analyze and evaluate the various arguments
presented in the four articles about the labor market and 4IR from the Mail and
Guardian.

Each article has a unique perspective on the labor market and the influences with
which the 4IR has posed on it. However, each article briefly, if not entirely, mentions
that there is a serious lack of skills for people to succeed in the digital era. The need
for people to learn digital skills is immensely great as it will not only propel individuals
forward in the labor market but as well as improving the economy overall.

Article 1 and Article 2 are the most similar in that they both emphasize integrating
digital and computer literacy in education systems. Where they differ is in the approach
to doing so as well as what kind of material should be included in the education
curriculum. Mosehle (2019) argues that digital learning needs to be a priority in a
person’s life as early as primary school days. This will not only develop the skills
needed for youth to enter the workforce but will also decrease the youth
unemployment rate as companies now have the skillsets to function and operate in
today’s society. Rodny-Gumede (2019) suggests that internationalization should be
heavily integrated into South Africa's tertiary institutes. The argument is that by
incorporating the techniques used by the Western, South Africa will also be able to
thrive in the 4IR. Article 1 is much less concerned with competing in a digital economy
than it is with emphasizing that the youth of today need to improve their digital skills to
become employed and South Africa needs to reduce its unemployment rate by
providing these skills at a young age. Article 2, instead, recognizes that due to South
Africa's past, we have hindered the capabilities of people by not creating innovative
and critical thinkers. To achieve innovative talent, we could look at international
degrees which have proven successful in creating individuals who are creative,
innovative and critical thinkers (Rodny-Gumede, 2019). Both articles provide an
insightful solution to a common problem South Africa is facing.

Article 3 briefly mentions the skills gap evident in South Africa although the main
argument that the author seems to be making is that it is not only technological
advances and digitization that are to blame for the crippling unemployment rate of
South Africa. Mathe (2019) reports that we are experiencing two problems: structural
and cyclic unemployment. The first is due to the lack of skills which result in a lack of
productivity and the second is due to a bad economy. The arguments posed in this
article suggest that employment needs to be created urgently to avoid the financial,
socioeconomic crisis that will likely unfold. The author does not mention the need for
employment in information technology as that isn’t the pressing issue. Rather, like
article 1, the pressing issue is the youth unemployment rate. Mathe (2019) cites
economic and sociology experts in their article who both make a point of mentioning
that technology and automation cannot be solely responsible for the unemployment
rate. This suggests that if the South African government should want to compete in
the digital economy, the need for job creation and the need for digital skill integration
are equally important in our society.

Article 4 takes a different stance from the previous one as it is not solely focused on
South Africa. The International Labour Organisation notes the differences between
first world and third world countries. Countries around the world are at different stages
of development. The standard of employment and standard of work are one of the key
differences in developed and developing countries. In addition to these differences,
the West is at the forefront of technological advancements while African countries are
still trying to catch-up. The International Labour Organisation (2019) states that in past
industrial revolutions, despite the fear of technology taking over for humans,
technological advancements have introduced new job opportunities and improved job
qualities. They did not result in the overall loss of jobs and the 4IR presents the same
opportunity. Developing economies are challenged with the remaining competitive
economy.