SA Steps Up Fight Against Unemployment: Deputy President
SA Steps Up Fight Against Unemployment: Deputy President
Paul Mashatile told lawmakers that government measures now go beyond fragmented responses, aiming for an integrated approach that combines skills training, workplace experience, entrepreneurship support, and wage subsidies.
Labor-intensive initiatives are central to this plan. Programs such as the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP), Public Employment Programs, and the Community Work Program are providing temporary jobs and income support in areas like infrastructure, environmental services, and social development.
Phase 5 of the EPWP, approved in 2024, targets the creation of 5 million work opportunities by 2029, backed by a budget of 178 billion rand (around $10 billion). Projects include road maintenance, public infrastructure upgrades, waste management, and community services.
Mashatile emphasized that the goal is not only to provide short-term relief but also to build resilience and adaptability among young people, equipping them with both hard and soft skills to thrive in a changing economy.
Still, challenges remain. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 33.2% in Q2 2025, up from 32.9% in Q1, with 140,000 more people entering the unemployment pool during this period.
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