An unemployment rate of over 30% is the 'new normal' for South Africa, a lethal indicator that has defined this decade and Cyril Ramaphosa's presidency. And it may still increase and cross the record of 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
South Africa's crippling unemployment situation is going from dire to hell, a situation that will increase poverty and inequality and fan the flames of social unrest in a vicious cycle that will perpetuate this seemingly insurmountable challenge.
In the first quarter (Q1) of this year, the unemployment rate rose 1.3 percentage points from the previous three-month period to 32.7% – a level that should be shocking but not surprising, given that the last time the number was below 30% was in the second quarter of 2020.
Read More Unemployment rate rises 1.3 percentage points to 32.7% May 12, 2026
An unemployment rate of over 30% is the “new normal” for South Africa, a lethal indicator that has defined this decade and Cyril Ramaphosa's presidency. And it may still go beyond this Record of 35.3% Arriving in Q4 2021.
There are many reasons for this, but they are never addressed with the necessary seriousness and urgency – which is ultimately a reflection of state failure.
South Africa, as my colleague Rebecca Davis recently reminded us, ranked last among 57 countries in the 2021 Progress in Reading Literacy Study. Failure of a government school…