Unemployment is highest crisis facing South Africa. The fact that more than 80 out of every 100 young people aged between 18- 35, as well as 52 out of every 100 work seekers overall, cannot find a job to feed their families and build a better future, Even on the narrow definition of unemployment – which excludes those people who have given up on ever finding a job – the number of jobless South Africans of working age has increased from 26% in 1992 to nearly 30% today.

The authorized unemployment rate was 30,9% in the fourth quarter of 2023.The results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 359 000 to 16,7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 16,7 million in the third quarter of 2023. Unemployment in South Africa is influenced by various factors, including:

1. Structural Economic Issues: South Africa has a history of structural economic issues, such as a reliance on resource extraction industries like mining, which can be volatile and susceptible to fluctuations in global commodity prices. This has contributed to limited job creation in other sectors.
2. Economic Growth Challenges: South Africa has experienced relatively low economic growth rates compared to other emerging economies. Sluggish growth limits job creation opportunities and exacerbates existing unemployment challenges.
3. Corruption and Governance Issues: Corruption and inefficiencies within the government can hinder economic development and discourage investment, which in turn affects job creation and exacerbates unemployment.
4. Global Economic Factors: External economic factors, such as global economic downturns or fluctuations in commodity prices, can impact South Africa’s economy and contribute to job losses.
5. Labor Market Rigidities: Labor market regulations, including stringent labor laws and minimum wage requirements, can discourage employers from hiring, particularly in the formal sector. This can lead to high levels of informal employment and underemployment.
6. Skills Mismatch: There’s often a gap between the skills demanded by the labor market and those possessed by the workforce. The education and training system may not adequately equip individuals with the skills needed for available jobs, leading to high unemployment rates among certain demographic groups, particularly youth.
7. Legacy of Apartheid: The legacy of apartheid has left a profound impact on the socio-economic landscape of South Africa. Historical inequalities in education, access to opportunities, and spatial segregation continue to affect employment patterns, with certain groups facing systemic barriers to entry into the job market.

South Africa can be rescued from the unemployment crisis that has robbed millions of citizen the brighter future. South Africa can work towards reducing unemployment, through potential solutions:

• Education and Skills Development: Invest in education and skills development programs that align with the needs of the labor market. This includes vocational training, apprenticeships, and initiatives to improve basic education outcomes, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
• Job Creation Policies: Implement policies that promote job creation, particularly in sectors with high growth potential, such as renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism, and technology. This can include tax incentives for businesses, investment in infrastructure projects, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
• Labor Market Reforms: Reform labor market regulations to strike a balance between protecting workers’ rights and creating a conducive environment for job creation. This may involve revising minimum wage laws, streamlining bureaucratic processes for businesses, and promoting flexible work arrangements.
• Support for Entrepreneurship: Foster entrepreneurship and innovation through access to finance, business development support, and incubation programs. Encourage entrepreneurship among youth and women, who face higher unemployment rates.
• Infrastructure Investment: Invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs and stimulate economic activity, such as transportation networks, energy infrastructure, and digital connectivity.
• Promotion of Foreign Investment: Create an attractive investment climate by addressing corruption, improving governance, and providing incentives for foreign investors. Foreign direct investment can play a significant role in creating jobs and transferring skills and technology.
• Social Safety Nets: Strengthen social safety nets to support those who are unemployed or underemployed, including targeted cash transfer programs, unemployment insurance, and skills retraining initiatives.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to identify and address barriers to job creation. Public-private partnerships can leverage resources and expertise to implement effective solutions.

The youth remain helpless in the labour market however, the fourth quarter of 2023 results show that the total number of unemployed youth (18–35 years) decreased by 168 000 to 4,3 million while there was an increase of 233 000 in the number of employed youth to 6,0 million.