Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbite in English by Freddy Sonakile
The NW province is again making headlines for all the wrong reasons with the highest unemployment rate in the country.
The unemployment crisis is a direct result of the failures of both the Provincial and Local Government in North West.
This saw another 12 000 more North West residents join the unemployment queue between Q1 and Q2 of 2024, with the official rate at 41,3%, being the highest in the country.
The latest figures from Stats SA indicates an increase in unemployment in the Agricultural sector alone of 27.7 %.
In the Utilities sector, employment rate dropped by 43.9% from last year April. There is also a significant drop of 42.7% in the Transport industry over the same period.
The expanded unemployment rate, which includes those discouraged from seeking work, worsened by 0,6 % percentage points to a staggering 54,2%.
Unemployment does not only affect households and buying power, but also has a significant negative impact on the economic growth in our province.
The NW Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, announced at the Provincial Annual Media Day launch in Mahikeng earlier this month that the provincial government is working to implement a Labour Activation Plan that will result in 27 000 job opportunities and training for unemployed people, with a focus on youth. He made the same promise in his opening of the Legislature Address. But if these stats are anything to go by, then this might be a pipe dream.
Besides the many talks on economic revival and numerous Investment drives, the NW government has over the years failed to attract investment towards job creation. The lack of a comprehensive economic policy that can attract investment, grow the economy and create jobs remains a challenge.
We challenge Premier Mokgosi and his Exco to make good on their words and table an honest, well researched and feasible economic revival plan for the province. The time for talkshops is over and the DA will continue to hold the provincial government for this bloodbath.