As per the 2nd Quarter Labour Force Survey released yesterday by Stats South Africa, North West still holds the highest unemployment rate in the country. Despite a marginal 0.3% drop from the previous quarter and a 1.2% drop from the same time last year, the official rate sits at 40.1% and the expanded rate at a staggering 54.7%. More than 1.5 million residents remain without jobs. Our absorption rate of 31.6% is the lowest in the country, and labour force participation is among the lowest nationally at 52.7%.
On 4 July this year, the DA marched to the Office of the Premier, handing over a memorandum demanding urgent action: declaring unemployment a provincial disaster, launching a Premier-led Youth Employment War Room, implementing a turnaround jobs plan with measurable targets, prioritising infrastructure to unlock growth, and publishing quarterly reports on investment and job creation.
While we understand that job creation is primarily driven by the private sector, it remains the essential role of government to establish conducive environments and implement strategic plans that enable and accelerate sustainable job growth.
One month later, there has been no response from Premier Lazarus Mokgosi. There is currently no jobs crisis plan, as he ignores memorandums and proposals to address this challenge. Jobs are not created by cutting ribbons, hosting roadshows, or attending every ceremonial opening. These statistics indicate a province on autopilot, with no urgency for economic reforms.
We have formally requested that the Portfolio Committee responsible for oversight of the Premier places this matter high on its agenda during engagements with the Premier. The Premier’s continued silence is a betrayal of North West residents. While he may be crisscrossing the province, the results speak for themselves; no real jobs have been created, nothing is attracting the private sector, and the province remains left behind.