DA Limpopo criticises increase in unemployment rate in the province
LIMPOPO – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has expressed concerns over the 1.2% quarter-on-quarter increase in unemployment rate in the province as reported in the third quarter of 2024 of Statistics South Africa Labour Force Survey.
According to the DA, the quarter-on-quarter increase in unemployment forms part of a more troubling trend with a year-on-year rise at a rate of over 2%.
The party said only Limpopo and Kwazulu-Natal experienced an increase in unemployment although the latter’s increase was marginal at 0.1%.
Lindy Wilson, DA Limpopo spokesperson on the office of the premier, said overall, there was a 1.4% decrease in unemployment across the country.
Wilson indicated that what makes Limpopo figures more alarming is that employment typically rises in quarter 3 due to seasonal hiring in agriculture, increased construction activity, early holiday season preparations and temporary job opportunities across various sectors.
She highlighted that commercial agriculture, however, continues to perform relatively well, delivering solid employment outcomes despite minimal support from the provincial government.
“We need more responsible and concerted effort from the ANC-led Limpopo provincial government to advance the objectives of the Government of National Unity of which the DA is a formidable partner in driving economic growth and job creation,” stated Wilson.
Wilson remarked that while Limpopo Premier, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, recently welcomed pledges amounting to R120 billion at the Limpopo Investment Conference, the premier must recognise that little of this will translate into concrete commitments towards growth and employment unless her ANC-led provincial government addresses the bottlenecks created by poor infrastructure, inadequate service delivery and ineffective governance.
“In the Western Cape, where the DA governs, 75 000 jobs were added. Good and capable governance matters. Unemployment is the single greatest crisis facing South Africa and a vote for the DA is a vote for jobs,” averred Wilson.
