South Africa’s opposition parties criticise Q2 jobs data amid unemployment crisis

SOUTH Africa’s second quarter 2025 jobs data has triggered strong criticism from political parties and organised labour, with calls for urgent economic reforms, job creation programmes, and government accountability.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI

They have all warned that the country’s unemployment crisis is worsening in real terms.

“Jobs give dignity and independence, but the current pace of growth is far too slow to make a dent in South Africa's unemployment crisis,’ said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer.

“We cannot pat ourselves on the back for adding 0.3% more jobs when our working-age population is growing at the same rate, or faster. In real terms, we are standing still, while millions remain jobless.”

Free SA argued that the Western Cape’s recent rise to become the province with the second highest number of employed people, overtaking KwaZulu-Natal, shows the benefits of a more business-friendly environment.