As the official unemployment rate in South Africa reached 33.6% in the second quarter, with 8.5 million people remaining jobless, political parties have demanded urgent government intervention to create jobs.
The Youth League of the African National Congress (ANCYL) once again called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare youth unemployment a national catastrophe. These figures were obtained after the official unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
According to the latest Labour Force Survey published by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday, the number of unemployed increased by 345,000 people, reaching 8.5 million between April and June. This growth led to an increase in the official unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points compared to 32.7% in the first quarter.
ANCYL Demands
ANCYL Secretary-General Tsakani Shiwiti noted that the latest data highlights the scale of the problem faced by young people entering the labour market. The Youth League had previously called for youth unemployment to be declared a national catastrophe, arguing that the fresh figures confirm the need for immediate government response.
Shiwiti stated that this issue cannot continue to be addressed with ordinary measures and within the usual course of business, as youth unemployment remains at a critical level. She demanded an urgent reaction from all levels of government to clearly define responsibility for job creation and the integration of youth into the productive economy.
According to her, measures must focus on the real economy and the creation of sustainable employment, including accelerating industrialization, as well as supporting small businesses and cooperatives owned by youth. Furthermore, she insisted on strengthening the links between education and employment, ensuring that young people benefit from economic investment and development.
Shiwiti also appealed to the private sector to take on a greater role in combating unemployment, emphasizing that the responsibility for solving the crisis cannot rest solely on the state. She clarified that this is not a call for another programme or obligation, but a demand that the government address youth unemployment with the urgency and seriousness dictated by its scale. ANCYL will continue to place youth employment and economic liberation at the centre of its programme, stating: 'We refuse to accept mass youth unemployment as a permanent condition for young people in South Africa. The President must act.'
ActionSA Comments
Meanwhile, ActionSA MP Alan Bisley reported that the latest data indicates that 361,000 fewer people were employed in South Africa by the end of the first half of 2026 compared to the beginning of the year. He noted that employment decreased by 345,000 in the first quarter, and another 16,000 in the second quarter.
Bisley stated that the number of unemployed in South Africa has reached 8.5 million, and the expanded unemployment rate, which includes people who have lost hope of finding work, has risen to 43.8% from 43.0% the previous year. More than 12 million South Africans are now either unemployed or have given up looking for work.
He also expressed concern about the manufacturing sector, noting that it has cut 100,000 jobs over the past year, representing a 6% decline. Bisley considers this particularly alarming because manufacturing provides productive and relatively higher-paying employment, supporting supply chains related to small businesses and workers.
The MP also criticized the rise of illegal trade, pointing out that legitimate companies are forced to comply with increasingly complex regulatory and tax requirements, while criminal networks continue to exploit weaknesses in law enforcement. Bisley mentioned the ongoing Madlanga Commission, which, in his opinion, reveals the extent of corruption and crime penetration into parts of the state, while legitimate businesses and their employees pay the price.
He also criticized the Unity Government, accusing it of being preoccupied with 'internal battles, political bargaining, and disagreements' while unemployment continues to rise. ActionSA has renewed its call for Ramaphosa to replace ministers responsible for employment, economic growth, trade, industry, and small business development. Bisley concluded that the government cannot continue its operations while the number of unemployed in the country rises and the production base shrinks.
