Durban – Cabinet has expressed satisfaction with the latest findings of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), revealing that employment levels in South Africa have rebounded and exceeded pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers.
Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, shared these insights during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Monday.
According to South African Government News Agency, there has been a slight reduction in unemployment, dropping by 0.7 percentage points to 31.9%. Additionally, the country witnessed an increase in the number of employed individuals.
Ntshavheni highlighted that all provinces, except one, have contributed to the rise of 399,000 in the number of employed people, totaling 16.7 million in the third quarter, up from 16.3 million in the second quarter of 2023. Notably, KwaZulu-Natal reported an increase of 152,000 jobs, followed by Limpopo with 70,000, North West with 61,000, and Mpumalanga. This growth aligns with the objectives of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme (ERRP), aimed at rebuilding a better, stronger, and more inclusive economy.
Acknowledging existing challenges, Ntshavheni noted the adverse effects of electricity and logistics constraints on sectors like manufacturing, mining, transport, and utilities. However, she expressed optimism about imminent progress in addressing load shedding and bottlenecks within the freight and logistics industry.
Cabinet also noted a gradual decrease in youth unemployment, which fell by 1.9% from the previous quarter, along with a significant increase of 237,000 in the number of employed youth, reaching six million.
In addition to these developments, Ntshavheni welcomed substantial investments from Ford Motor Company and Procter and Gamble. Ford’s additional R5 billion investment for the production of a new plug-in hybrid electric Ford Ranger, primarily for export, reflects the company’s strong presence in South Africa, employing around 5,200 people. Similarly, Procter and Gamble’s investment in a new production line for Pampers Premium Care in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, with a cumulative investment of approximately R900 million since 2018, has generated over 4,000 direct and indirect jobs. These investments underscore the effectiveness of President Ramaphosa’s investment drive through the South Africa Investment Conference and reaffirm the country’s status as a prime investment destination.