Concern about South Africa’s rising unemployment rate

South Africa’s unemployment rate increased to the highest level since the third quarter of 2017, according to Statistics South Africa.

Concern about South Africa’s rising unemployment rate
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South Africa’s unemployment rate increased to the highest level since the third quarter of 2017, according to Statistics South Africa.

Statistics SA recently released its quarterly labour force survey for the first quarter of 2019. According to the survey, South Africa’s overall unemployment rate had increased to 27,6%. This was an increase of 0,5 percentage points compared with the 27,1% recorded in 2018.

The decline in employment was driven by the construction sector, which shed 142 000 jobs, followed by the finance and social services sectors that shed 94 000 and 50 000, respectively, the report said.

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About 12 000 jobs were shed in the agricultural sector, according to the report.

Jahni de Villiers, policy head of Agri SA’s Labour and Development Centre of Excellence Agri SA, said policy uncertainty was worsening South Africa’s agriculture employment crises.

“Agri SA already warned in 2018 that policy uncertainty and poor economic growth were seriously hampering the agricultural sector’s ability to create jobs.”

De Villiers added that the goal of creating one million jobs in the agricultural sector as outlined in the National Development Plan would not be reached without consistent support from government.  She highlighted the fact that rising labour costs also had a real effect on employment creation.

“If these negative trends continue, the unemployment crises will worsen.”

A statement by the Department of Government Communications and Information System, said the high unemployment rate was a serious concern to government, and added that several interventions were being implemented to revive and stimulate economic growth.

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Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years. She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.