ActionSA President Herman Mashaba said on Tuesday that South Africa's current unemployment and fiscal crisis is a manmade disaster by the ruling African National Congress, following years of mismanagement and corruption.

Stats SA released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter of 2023, indicating a decrease in the number of employed persons by 22 000 to 16.7-million.

The number of unemployed persons increased by 46 000 to 7.9-million during the same quarter. Additionally, the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement increased by 218 000 to 13.4-million, while discouraged work-seekers decreased by 107 000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2023.

Mashaba said the "disastrous" fourth quarter unemployment statistics indicated that unless South Africans change their national government in the upcoming elections, the country will see a further decline in employment opportunities and economic growth.

He despite repeated promises by the ruling government, including most recently by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address that South Africa is turning the tide against job losses, the quarterly labour force survey showed that the current policy approach is not working.

Meanwhile, the Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed that the Western Cape is now just 0.4% away from unemployment falling below 20% in the province, with unemployment sitting at 20.3%.

The publication also showed that unemployment in the province is down, on the official definition, by 2.2% points year-on-year - which is the biggest decrease in South Africa.

Premier Alan Winde said this is promising news for the people of the Western Cape.

Winde said that he is elated that the province's action is making a difference in the lives of residents.

He outlined in his State of the Province Address how the Western Cape Government has decisively acted to enable job creation, provide quality education, extend healthcare to those most in need, and boost safety for citizens.

GAUTENG UNEMPLOYMENT

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development Patrick Atkinson stated that Gauteng residents have once again been failed by the provincial government, which he said had promised to create more employment opportunities.

Atkinson noted that despite many promises made by Premier Panyaza Lesufi about concrete plans to curb the unemployment rate in the province, his interventions are clearly not working.

Furthermore, he said the Gauteng Department of Economic Development has constantly failed to meet its job creation targets, which also has a negative impact on the unemployment rate.

He highlighted that the Gauteng Provincial Government's job is to create a conducive environment to attract the local and international private sector to invest in the country's economy.

"However, if we do not clamp down on corruption, crime, and loadshedding, this will deter potential investors," explained Atkinson.

The DA said it has a plan to rescue Gauteng and create a conducive environment that will help create sustainable job opportunities.