The DA is deeply concerned about the predicted increase in the official unemployment rate during the First Quarter of 2024 in Limpopo, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey released today.
This is the largest increase nationally and Limpopo’s official unemployment rate increased to 32.7%, up by 2.4 percentage points from 30.3% in the previous quarter.
The provincial expanded unemployment rate also increased by 1,1 percentage points from 46.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 47.8% in the first quarter of 2024.
The total Limpopo labour force is recorded at 2 223 000 million, 132 000 more than a year ago; 728 000 individuals are unable to find work, while 521 000 persons have given up looking for a job altogether.
The bottom line is that people of Limpopo are becoming poorer, the provincial economy is shrinking and excludes more and more people from accessing economic opportunities.
During the quarter under review, the jobs bloodbath has been pronounced in the following sectors:
- Agriculture- 6000 jobs lost
- Construction–57000 jobs lost
- Community and Social Services -16 000 jobs lost
Where the DA governs in the Western Cape, the official unemployment rate is 21,4 %, 11.5 percentage points lower than the national average, indicative of the DA’s credible economic policy and sound governance.
Outgoing Premier, Stan Mathabatha’s legacy will be his passivity to hold his cadres to account during his protracted tenure and the result of his inaction is the 3 049 000 million people who are unemployed, not economically active and discouraged work seekers who are wondering where their next meal will come from.
Unemployment is the single greatest crisis facing South Africa; a vote for the DA is a vote for jobs.