Unemployment casts a dark shadow over the Northern Cape, robbing countless individuals of their dignity. The province grapples not only with soaring unemployment rates but also with a staggering lack of formal education among its populace. Meanwhile, those with the requisite qualifications find themselves marginalised by rampant cadre deployments.
Despite claims to the contrary by the provincial government, the latest report from Stats SA reveals a troubling trend: Northern Cape’s unemployment rate has surged by 1.7% year-on-year, reaching 28.3% in Quarter 1 of 2024.
In Kuruman, ActionSA Northern Cape’s Chairperson, Andrew Louw, encountered a 34-year-old man who epitomizes the plight of many. Despite residing in a region rich with mining opportunities, this young man has never known the stability of steady employment. His story echoes the broader narrative of indignity and dependence pervasive among the province’s youth, contributing to alarming rates of mental health issues such as depression and suicide.
ActionSA Northern Cape advocates for an inclusive approach to socio-economic empowerment through its alternative framework, Inclusive Socio-Economic Empowerment (IEE). By prioritising skills training and fostering collaboration between government and the private sector, we envision a future where every individual can actively contribute to the economy and experience dignified, sustainable employment.
However, realising this vision hinges on a fundamental shift towards meritocracy, inclusion, and transparency within the current administration.
With proactive leadership and strategic partnerships with key industries such as mining and energy, we believe the Northern Cape can emerge from the grip of unemployment and chart a new course toward prosperity for all.
StatsSA First Quarter Report: Economic Prosperity Eludes the Northern Cape Province
Unemployment casts a dark shadow over the Northern Cape, robbing countless individuals of their dignity. The province grapples not only with soaring unemployment rates but also with a staggering lack of formal education among its populace. Meanwhile, those with the requisite qualifications find themselves marginalised by rampant cadre deployments.
Despite claims to the contrary by the provincial government, the latest report from Stats SA reveals a troubling trend: Northern Cape’s unemployment rate has surged by 1.7% year-on-year, reaching 28.3% in Quarter 1 of 2024.
In Kuruman, ActionSA Northern Cape’s Chairperson, Andrew Louw, encountered a 34-year-old man who epitomizes the plight of many. Despite residing in a region rich with mining opportunities, this young man has never known the stability of steady employment. His story echoes the broader narrative of indignity and dependence pervasive among the province’s youth, contributing to alarming rates of mental health issues such as depression and suicide.
ActionSA Northern Cape advocates for an inclusive approach to socio-economic empowerment through its alternative framework, Inclusive Socio-Economic Empowerment (IEE). By prioritising skills training and fostering collaboration between government and the private sector, we envision a future where every individual can actively contribute to the economy and experience dignified, sustainable employment.
However, realising this vision hinges on a fundamental shift towards meritocracy, inclusion, and transparency within the current administration.
With proactive leadership and strategic partnerships with key industries such as mining and energy, we believe the Northern Cape can emerge from the grip of unemployment and chart a new course toward prosperity for all.