ActionSA notes with deep concern that 140 000 more South Africans became unemployed between April and June 2025, bringing the total increase to almost 350 000 unemployed individuals so far in 2025 under the Government of National Unity (GNU), according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q2 2025 released by Statistics South Africa today.
With the GNU consumed by infighting, the economy is left rudderless. At their press conference yesterday, the DA openly admitted to being at odds with their coalition partner, the ANC, on virtually every element of their supposed plan to “save” South Africa’s economy. Instead of working for the people, the GNU’s coalition partners are working against each other.
The QLFS shows that the official unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points from 32.9% in Q1 2025 to 33.2% in Q2 2025. This means that one in every three active jobseekers cannot find work. While the expanded unemployment rate declined slightly from 43.1% in Q1 2025 to 42.9% in Q2 2025, this was driven by growth in the labour force rather than genuine job creation.
Even more troubling is that this crisis is overseen by a Minister of Employment and Labour who has openly stated that she takes no responsibility for the hundreds of thousands who have lost their jobs this year. Minister Meth, if not you, then who? South Africa’s unemployment crisis has been relegated to the Ministry of No Jobs and No Responsibility.
President Ramaphosa’s recent claim that the economy is in a “state of emergency” is a belated and inadequate acknowledgement of what South Africans have known for years. The emergency was created by years of slow, ineffectual governance, and now those responsible claim they want to solve it.
South Africa has not achieved economic growth of 3% or more in over a decade. Under the GNU, growth has yet to exceed 1%, and unemployment continues to rise. Each day, thousands of South Africans lose their livelihoods while Cabinet grows and executive perks multiply. This additional loss of jobs comes before the anticipated imposition of new US tariffs, meaning that this hapless inertia is likely to have even more devastating consequences for South Africa’s already fragile economy.
For those impacted, this is not just the absence of work but a suffocating darkness that erodes hope, dignity, and self-worth. According to the expanded definition, 12 million South Africans remain trapped in that darkness.
ActionSA will continue to fight for a competent, accountable government that puts job creation ahead of political power games and perks for the politically connected few.
QLFS: Hapless and Planless GNU Robbing More South Africans of the Dignity of Work
ActionSA notes with deep concern that 140 000 more South Africans became unemployed between April and June 2025, bringing the total increase to almost 350 000 unemployed individuals so far in 2025 under the Government of National Unity (GNU), according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q2 2025 released by Statistics South Africa today.
With the GNU consumed by infighting, the economy is left rudderless. At their press conference yesterday, the DA openly admitted to being at odds with their coalition partner, the ANC, on virtually every element of their supposed plan to “save” South Africa’s economy. Instead of working for the people, the GNU’s coalition partners are working against each other.
The QLFS shows that the official unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points from 32.9% in Q1 2025 to 33.2% in Q2 2025. This means that one in every three active jobseekers cannot find work. While the expanded unemployment rate declined slightly from 43.1% in Q1 2025 to 42.9% in Q2 2025, this was driven by growth in the labour force rather than genuine job creation.
Even more troubling is that this crisis is overseen by a Minister of Employment and Labour who has openly stated that she takes no responsibility for the hundreds of thousands who have lost their jobs this year. Minister Meth, if not you, then who? South Africa’s unemployment crisis has been relegated to the Ministry of No Jobs and No Responsibility.
President Ramaphosa’s recent claim that the economy is in a “state of emergency” is a belated and inadequate acknowledgement of what South Africans have known for years. The emergency was created by years of slow, ineffectual governance, and now those responsible claim they want to solve it.
South Africa has not achieved economic growth of 3% or more in over a decade. Under the GNU, growth has yet to exceed 1%, and unemployment continues to rise. Each day, thousands of South Africans lose their livelihoods while Cabinet grows and executive perks multiply. This additional loss of jobs comes before the anticipated imposition of new US tariffs, meaning that this hapless inertia is likely to have even more devastating consequences for South Africa’s already fragile economy.
For those impacted, this is not just the absence of work but a suffocating darkness that erodes hope, dignity, and self-worth. According to the expanded definition, 12 million South Africans remain trapped in that darkness.
ActionSA will continue to fight for a competent, accountable government that puts job creation ahead of political power games and perks for the politically connected few.