Half a million more young people are jobless 

11 May 2016

According to the 1st Quarterly Labour Force Survey for 2016, the number of young people without jobs, or who have given up looking for jobs, has increased by more than half a million (508,000). In total almost 6 million young South Africans are now unemployed. 

This means, that according the QLFS, 1 in 2 young people under the age of 35 are jobless, or have given up looking for a job, in South Africa today. Even more worryingly, for those young people between the ages of 15 to 24, the figure is a staggering 2 in 3 people.

The reality is that the ANC governs like young black lives don’t matter. While our country is in need of leadership, that will encourage economic growth and job creation, our President is jumping from one scandal to the next.

If Mr Zuma put the same effort in trying to create jobs, as he did in defending corruption, and wasting public money to prevent himself from having to answer in a court of law for corruption charges, we would be in a much better position today.

The truth is that Jacob Zuma continues to be a job creation wrecking ball, and one of the biggest obstacles to creating opportunities for young South Africans today. He governs like young black lives don’t matter. 

The DA, where we govern, has proven that it is possible to create jobs. While South Africa saw a rapid spike in unemployment – bringing the figure to 8.9 million – the DA-run City of Cape Town created 4000 jobs. 

This is the change that we want to bring to more and more places across South Africa, after 3 August 2016. This is the change that will make sure that South Africa moves forward again, and that young people are provided with the economic opportunities needed to succeed. 

Issued by Phumzile Van Damme, DA National Spokesperson, 11 May 2016