This, coupled with the newly appointed MEC for Free State Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Makalo Mohale's plans to invest more in the youth and in entrepreneurial programmes aimed at reducing the number of unemployment in the province. 

The high number of unemployment in the province was in the spotlight last week when Statistics South Africa released Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter, which indicated that the province has an unemployment rate of 34.4%.

Although the number of employed people throughout the country has increased from 27.6% in the first quarter of 2019 to 29%, which is the highest jobless rate since 2008, the rate in the Free State has slightly decreased.

The Free State and the Eastern Cape provinces were during the third quarter of 2018 the top two provinces where employment losses were recorded. The unemployment rate in the Free State stood at 36,3% followed by the Eastern Cape with 35.6%. At the moment the province has an unemployment rate of 34.4%, while the Eastern Cape recorded the highest unemployment rate at 35.4%, and the North West recorded the highest expanded unemployment at 46.6 %.

The newly appointed MEC and former ANCYL President in the province, last month tabled his department’s R631 million budget for the 2019/20 fiscal year. He reassured Members of the Provincial Legislature and the public that an initiative to address the plight faced by the youth in terms of their lack of participation in the economy will be included.

Meanwhile, the department responsible for driving Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the North West told OFM News it has noted the high unemployment rate in the province and is working on programmes aimed at addressing this challenge. The Department’s Frank Tlhomelang, responsible for Integrated Economic Development Services, said “unemployment and a lack of jobs have become like an elephant in the room” and they are working on various initiatives to address this. He said this includes the Growth and Employment Summit that will be held in the province by the end of August.

OFM News