The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey published by StatsSA shows a decrease of 0,2 of a percentage point from 32,9% in the third quarter to 32,7% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The expanded unemployment rate, which measures those who have given up looking for work, also decreased by 0,5 of a percentage point to 42,6% in the fourth quarter of 2022. 

"We have a growing population of young people sitting at home, not working," says Numsa's spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola in a statement. "The report states that South Africa had at least 10,2 million young people aged 15–24 years in Q4: 2022, of whom 33,6% were not in employment, education or training.

"700 000 graduates have applied for the social distress grant, which is deeply worrying. It means that we are a failing state because even those who have qualifications are unable to find work."

'Fertile ground for social unrest'

Hlubi-Majola says young people should be working and contributing to economic growth. "It is most disturbing to note that even doctors are unable to find work in South Africa, and yet, we desperately need more doctors and nurses. This is a recipe for disaster because it creates fertile ground for social unrest."

Numsa says state owned entities (SOE's) are vehicles for job creation. "We have seen how China has harnessed its SOE’s to focus on serving its economic needs in order to create value chains, which has resulted in massive employment.

"The ANC has failed to use SOE’s to benefit the working class. Instead, it has collapsed them so that they can be sold for dirt cheap to business people with connections to the ruling party."

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